The Village Market will transition from regular plastic to biodegradable plastic bags over several months, which could raise prices for some deli items, according to Village Market Manager Jackie Rose.
The decision to switch occurred shortly after students raised concerns about environmental consciousness on campus.
In a previous Accent article covering the topic, Rose stated he had yet to find a paper bag that would accommodate the size of the deli to-go boxes. At the time, Rose mentioned paper bags as a definite possibility he would look into. However, the added cost would be unavoidable, he emphasized.
“I am working with our current supplier to transition from our regular plastic bags to biodegradable,” Rose wrote in an email to the Accent. “This move will cost the Village Market approximately $6,000 more per year. We are not going to charge for the bag at the register but are raising a couple of our best sellers margins to pay for the bags.”
According to the email, the biodegradable bags break down like tree leaves. As the Village Market already has a year’s worth of regular plastic bags printed with the store’s logo, Rose explained, the new bags may not take effect until January 2024.
Regarding student concern about the amount of Styrofoam products used on campus, Rose wrote that switching to a more recyclable option at the deli would pose a much greater cost and subsequently raise meal prices significantly.
“Since it is under the Deli budget, we would have to raise the price of the meal and not something else in the store,” Rose wrote. “Maybe they will come down in the future on the price of biodegradable three compartment trays where it would be feasible.”
