A Chicago Bag Fee Poses Real-World Issues For Stores & Shoppers

By Stephen Gossett in News on Oct 10, 2016 5:59PM

Getty Images / Photo: David Paul Morris

Green-minded grocery shoppers have long preferred to BYO tote bag when going to the supermarket, but stragglers might soon face added pressure to join the movement: Mayor Rahm Emanuel is expected to request a seven-cent fee for plastic and/or papers bags in his 2017 budget proposal on Tuesday, according to the Tribune. Aside from obvious concerns about adding further stress to an already heavily taxed base, the proposal could mean that local stores may have to reconsider how they carry out personal bag policies.

The city already bans a thin, single-use form of plastic bag—a restriction that went into effect last year. Some potential environmental benefits may have been offset, though, as the thicker plastic bags that have now become the norm have been criticized from both green and economic perspectives.

Of course, the fee is perhaps more about revenue than conservation, as the surcharge would generate some $9.2 million for the city, according to the Trib, as Chicago faces a $137 million budget deficit. But beyond dollars and cents, it could also pose logistical questions at the ground level.

Pete’s Fresh Market, for instance, has drawn the ire of some cyclists for how certain locations enforce their personal bag policy. There, shoppers have been asked to turn in bags to customer service while they shop, as a loss prevention measure.

A customer-service representative posted the following explanation on the cycling message board The Chainlink:

"…Yes, we do have a no backpack policy. It is for the safety and security of our employees and customers. Our backpack policy is not a new policy for any of our store locations. Our Madison & Western store experienced a spike in unfavorable activities over the last year. To thwart some of those activities, the decision makers within our organization have made sure that protocols are in place and routinely adhered to by company personnel. Know that our backpack policy is non-discriminatory. It stands for all customers, not just cyclists.

While checking a backpack with customer service may be an extra step during your quick trip, I can confidently share that, to date, there have been zero customers complaints about items missing upon retrieval after shopping. I share that simply to say, that while it is impractical, you can look on the bright side, you have absolutely nothing to worry about while you shop - hands free shopping!"

Vanessa Dremonas, Executive Officer of Pete's Fresh Market, reiterated those points to Chicagoist while clarifying that the policy targets "oversized backpacks" only. "We've seen a spike in retail theft, particularly with health-and-beauty products and liquor. This is one way we can curb it," Dremonas said. "There has not been one reported incident of anything misplaced from a customer's bag."

"We don’t have the retail margin that other grocers do," Dremonas added. "It's very slim for independent retailers."

While it’s certainly a far stretch to label checking in backpacks “discrimination,” it nevertheless points to how stores and shoppers alike will have to consider the practical balance between loss prevention and adjusting to life under the proposal, should it be instated.