Americans consume 100 billion single-use plastic bags every year, and less than 10% of the bags are recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Defense Commissary Agency is now working to phase out plastic bags at its checkouts by 2025. (U.S. Army)
Commissaries in the Kaiserslautern Military Community and across Europe will eliminate single-use plastic bags after a grace period, according to Defense Commissary Agency officials.
The bags will disappear from commissary checkout lanes in January 2025, DeCA spokesman Keith Desbois said Friday.
Commissaries will notify customers at least 30 days in advance, with signs announcing the upcoming changes, he added.
This decision is part of a broader push to meet European Union regulations and promote environmental sustainability in the U.S. military’s retail system, officials said.
The transition away from plastic at the military grocery stores worldwide began earlier this year in Guam, Hawaii and select U.S. states, where plastic bag restrictions are already in effect.
In place of single-use bags, customers will have several eco-friendly options: reusable plastic bags priced at 10 cents, paper bags with handles available for 15 cents, and a range of designer reusable bags, including some that are insulated.
The plastic reusable bags available for purchase will be larger than the current single-use ones, will be recyclable and will meet all EU requirements, Desbois said.
September 6, 2024 16:13
