Select CVS Pharmacy and Target stores in New Jersey will pilot reusable bag kiosks in a partnership with GOATOTE and 99Bridges. The state recently banned single-use plastic bags, and the GOATOTE system will let shoppers use and then return bags as needed, for either a monthly or per-use fee.
GOATOTE and 99Bridges were the winners of the 2021 Beyond the Bag Challenge, which was hosted by Closed Loop Partners’ Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag. During this time, the companies learned about the existing enablers of and barriers to sustainable design solutions, and identified what resonated most with customers, how customers and employees use reusable bag systems, what provides value to retailers, and how innovators’ solutions can evolve. The rollout in New Jersey will provide the opportunity to expand on these data points and best practices to help retailers and customers navigate the changing landscape for retail bags.
“Our guests are feeling the growing burden of waste, and that includes single-use plastic retail bags,” said Amanda Nusz, SVP of Corporate Responsibility at Target in a statement. “Thanks to Beyond the Bag pilot innovators like GOATOTE, and the collective efforts of this consortium, we’re able to build circular capabilities in this space and bring our guests along with us, asking them to help co-create the sustainable and affordable solutions we know we need. We’re grateful to continue these important collaborations.”
The Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag will continue to support the progress of individual innovators to foster connection and coordination with retailers and identify best practices for impact on the ground. The consortium also will continue to test, listen, learn and collaborate to gather and disseminate the collective findings from a diverse suite of learning opportunities.
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