New DC Law Appeals to Boomers’ Green Sensibilities
By Guest Blogger Sherie Winston
I'm embarrassed to admit that I'd forgotten about the new District of Columbia law that went into effect on Jan. 1: All stores selling groceries and alcohol are required to charge customers 5 cents for every paper or plastic bag the store supplies.
On a spontaneous dash into Trader Joe's one day last week -- my first trip for groceries this year - I was reminded of the change while waiting in the cashier’s line and noticing all the other customers with their own bags. I could blame my lapse on the unplanned quest for dinner ingredients, but the truth was less environmentally friendly.
I applaud Trader Joe's response: every customer without their own carrier receives one free bag made of 100 percent post consumer PET collected through commercial and residential recycling programs. I think this is a great way to help the environment and a great way to raise awareness.
It was a small gesture, but it made a big impression on my boomer sensibilities to be a more socially responsible citizen. A recent study by Kelly Services confirms that boomers gravitate in greater numbers to organizations with strong environmental, social and ethical policies than their younger counterparts.
I realized as I walked home toting one recycled bag and one paper grocery bag that Trader Joe's CSR helped me, helped my community and helped the environment. My awareness was raised on so many levels: I wouldn't forget about the new law, I had a heightened sense about recycling and my personal responsibility to the environment, I felt renewed loyalty to TJ's, and I would be happy to give this self-described 'quirky' store a little extra advertising when I carried my new bag on all my other errands.
This content initially appeared on Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication Web log.