There is currently a global plastic pollution crisis. Walmart distributes an estimated 18 billion to 20 billion single-use plastic carry out shopping bags per year which contribute to plastic pollution. About one trillion single-use plastic bags are used annually across the globe; this is 2 million every minute. Plastic pollution affects 260 species of land or aquatic animals, causing fatalities from ingestion, entanglement, suffocation, and drowning. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags as jellyfish.  

We want to force Walmart to eradicate single-use plastic bags at a faster rate. They have committed to change by 2025. This is not timeline is not sufficient enough.... because many preventable lives will be lost from now till then. So far, they have implemented change within their products. They have made biodegradable packaging for some of their brand products, but nothing has been done about the take-home plastic bags. 

More than 300 municipalities across the United States now ban or charge fees for single-use plastic bags. California, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and American Samoa have banned them, as have 55 countries. Thirty-one more have imposed a fee. While this has shown a slight decrease in usage, we want to completely eradicate the single-use plastic bags in all of Walmart’s globally.

Instead, Walmart can force customers to use reusable bags. This can be done through a mandated fee to purchase reusable bags in order to carry their goods home. If individuals do not want to purchase bags for each trip to the store, there is the incentive then for them to bring their own each time from home. Stores like Sam's Club, Aldi and many other companies have tried to initiate.

Stores can also make a transition to paper bags which are not as detrimental to the environment. The cost of paper bags is around 17 cents versus the 4 cents of plastic. Although this is an increase in price, the revenue made by Walmart yearly would not be largely impacted. Walmart would get back their money when customers return the used paper bags. These things can only happen if as a community everyone does their part in returning bags and accepting the plastic bag ban. It would make it easier for Walmart to implement these changes. 

Please join us in our effort to make a change. We want to save every life possible. And with you, it can be a reality.