CVS, Target and Walmart Get One Step Closer to Replacing Plastic Bags With New Pilot Programs

Through a consortium led by Closed Loop Partners, the brands are funding research into alternatives to the ubiquitous retail sack

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Despite a rising interest in sustainability, the American economy still produces a lot of plastic waste—around 46 million tons each year, scientists say. Less than 10% of that gets recycled, meaning that Katy Perry’s plastic bag, floating through the wind, has very little chance of starting again. It’s more likely destined for a landfill or the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Given that bleak reality, the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag is attempting to find new ways for people to get groceries and other purchases from the checkout counter to their homes without harming the environment.

Launched in July 2020 by sustainability-focused investment firm Closed Loop Partners and a combined $15 million from founding partners CVS, Target and Walmart, the consortium started by calling for submissions from inventors, innovators and supply chain and packaging experts around the world for innovative alternatives to single-use plastic bags.

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