USA: Wawa launches ‘Skip the Bag for Good’ initiative

The retailer will celebrate New Jersey’s ban on single-use bags by offering 1,000 free reusable bags with each purchase at its stores in the state.

Wawa has announced the launch of its “Skip the Bag for Good” initiative in time with the State of New Jersey’s ban on single-use plastic bags going into effect for all retailers. This bet on sustainability will help to make the transition away from single-use plastic bags as easy and meaningful as possible for customers.

Starting at 7:00 a.m. on May 4, the day the bag ban goes into effect, every Wawa store will be giving away 1,000 free reusable bags with a purchase while supplies last. Wawa’s 272 New Jersey stores will distribute a total of almost 272,000 free reusable bags to customers throughout the state.

“We thank our customers for joining Wawa and the State of New Jersey in our journey to ‘skip the bag for good’ as we work together to keep our community safe, scenic and sustainable. Shopping with a reusable bag is a change of habit for many people that can reduce our long-term impact on the environment, and we are excited to do our part to support our community,” said Dave Simonetti, Sr. Director of Store Operations for New Jersey.

Moving forward, Wawa will offer New Jersey customers a value-priced, $0.35 reusable bag as an option to use at Wawa and beyond, while encouraging customers to bring in their own reusable bags to use in store or skip using a bag altogether.

The retailer will also work to educate both customers and store associates on the new legislation, as well as the impact single-use plastic bags have on the environment and the benefits of reusable bags. Beyond this mandate, and as part of its commitment to protecting the environment, Wawa will continue to take steps to reduce single-use plastic bags consumption in all stores across its six-state operating area.