Beginning tomorrow, establishments in Lawrence are prohibited from providing single-use disposable plastic bags to customers at the point of sale. The goal from the city: “to improve the long-term health of our natural environment by engaging the Lawrence community in a campaign designed to encourage people to use reusable bags.” Learn more about the city’s Ready for Reusables campaign.
Impact at the co-op
The Merc Co+op removed plastic bags from our registers in 2013, and the paper bags we provide are 60% post-consumer recycled material — in other words, it’s business as usual. We applaud this step our Lawrence government is taking to encourage a more sustainable future!
The ordinance and penalties are for businesses and establishments — so, while the city is strongly encouraging folks to bring their own reusable bags, individuals can still use plastic. (Don’t forget — at the co-op you get a 5 cent discount for bringing in your reusable tote. You can also donate that 5 cents to our Change Partner!) The ordinance also includes a number of exemptions for product-specific bags, like produce bags.
There’s always more work to do in our efforts toward sustainability.
We are currently exploring additional sustainable bag options in both produce and our bulk departments.
All our of co-op deli cups, utensils and containers are compostable!
Filtered Water dispensers = 82,195.5 gallons of bulk water is sold annually — that's 622,546 plastic water bottles saved per year!
We’re also grateful to work with local producers who recycle and reuse:
Over 15,000 Hildebrand glass bottles are returned and reused each year.
Get Kanbucha on tap with reusable bottles in Lawrence!
Half Day Creamery Yogurt glass containers can be returned to be reused.
Want to learn more?
The City of Lawrence invites all community members to a Bag Bash, set for 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St. The celebration will include the city’s community partners in sustainability talking about what they’re up to, plus some activities.
There will be a bag donations drive and giveaway, so those who have bags they don’t need can bring them to share with those who do. The city asks that folks who have extra clean and gently used reusable bags bring them to the event.
And there will be tote bag decorating, with “environmentally friendly decorations to make your bag stand out. It’s hard to forget your tote when it’s your favorite and most stylish accessory,” Maureen Brady, a spokesperson for the city, said via email.
More about your co-op’s sustainability efforts
Sustainability is relevant to everything we do at The Merc Co+op. From the products we source to the organizations we support to our recycling program, concern for our environment and our community is always top of mind. We partner with nearly three dozen local growers, champion organic, provide a space for community growth in our classrooms and support farmers’ markets, CSAs and student gardens.
LANDFILL AND FOOD WASTE REDUCTION
The co-op partners with Just Food, Cross-lines Community Outreach, and Catholic Charities for food recovery every week.
Single stream recycling for customers and co-op operates through Honey Creek in Lawrence and Waste Management in KCK. We also bale and recycle/sell cardboard waste at both locations.
Composting — local farmers pick up produce food scraps. Missouri Organics picks up all other food waste along with waxed cardboard boxes three times per week . Cups, utensils and deli packaging are all compostable.
ENERGY REDUCTION
Solar panel array — 26% of the energy the co-op uses is from the sun at our Lawrence location!
Electric vehicle charging stations are powered by the solar panels
LED lighting
HVAC units replaced with high efficiency models
Night curtains on open coolers to conserve energy and regulate temperatures
Refrigeration rack preheats water for water heaters