H-E-B makes 'Going Green' easy by giving away reusable shopping bags for Earth Day

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- As part of the company’s ongoing efforts to do its part to take care of Texas, H-E-B is celebrating Earth Day by giving away 200,000 reusable shopping bags to customers statewide. For the sixth consecutive year, H-E-B will encourage shoppers to keep the environment and plastic bag recycling top of mind year-round with its reusable bag giveaway.

To show customers “it’s easy being green”, H-E-B will give away 200,000 specially designed commemorative Earth Day reusable shopping bags. Taking place Monday, April 22, from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., this effort will help to eliminate more than 1 million plastic bags from the environment. Customers who bring in five or more plastic bags for recycling will receive a coupon for one free reusable H-E-B shopping bag. The program is taking place during this four hour time period at all H-E-B stores across Texas. Last year, H-E-B and its customers recycled 5.2 million pounds of plastic bags.

Plastic bags turned in for recycling may be from any retailer. No purchase is necessary, but there is a limit of one free reusable bag per customer while supplies last.

“At H-E-B, we look forward to Earth Day all year. Our bag giveaway promotion is a great way to help our customers make a small change that can add up to a big difference for our communities,” said Susan Ghertner, H-E-B Director of Environmental Affairs.

H-E-B stores across the state will host various in-store activities from April 15 – April 22. Last year, nearly 85 H-E-B stores partnered with 95 local elementary schools to collect 1.2 million plastic bags for recycling. From Earth Day plastic bag recycling contests in schools, to story times for children, neighborhood clean-ups and tree plantings, H-E-B is working hard to educate customers about the importance of being good environmental stewards. Visit www.heb.com for Earth Day activities scheduled at local stores.

In addition, H-E-B has launched a checkstand tear pad campaign in partnership with EarthShare of Texas, a non-profit that supports dozens of respected environmental and conservation groups. Customers can choose to donate $1, $3 or $5 at checkout to be added to their grocery bill.

Available every day at H-E-B, shoppers can select and purchase a variety of artistic designed reusable bags. Five cents from each reusable bag sale, up to a maximum of $50,000, will be donated to Keep Texas Beautiful to support their efforts to beautify and improve community environments.

“H-E-B takes great pride in making it convenient for our shoppers to make environmentally sustainable choices in their daily lives,” said Cyndy Garza Roberts, Public Affairs Director, H-E-B Houston Region.