In a recent announcement, Walmart Stores Inc. said it has decided to postpone its recycle bags trial that entailed removing free plastic bags from two of its California-based locations. The two stores, located in Citrus Heights and Folsom, previously announced plans that required consumers to utilize recycle bags. Shoppers could either bring their own bags or buy bags for 15 cents a piece. The shopping centers, along with a third store in Ukiah, are part of a test program designed to encourage shoppers to kick the plastic bag habit. Walmart has implemented several strategies designed to cut down on plastic bag consumption.

According to Walmart spokesperson Amelia Neufeld, the overall objective is to cut down the chain’s plastic bag waste by 33 percent. The deadline for this goal is 2013. Neufeld also said the company pulled the recycle bags trial because it believes launching the program during the holiday shopping season would produce irregular test results. “The goal of this test is to gauge customer reaction. We think we'll get a more accurate reaction by offering these bags after the holidays,” Neufeld said.

There is currently no estimated date for when Walmart plans to launch the now delayed trial. Currently, the stores continue to offer alternative 15-cent recycle bags. The bags are royal blue and made of a lightweight, recyclable polypropylene fabric. In addition, Walmart is looking into other methods of cutting down on plastic bag use, some of which do not includ eliminating the plastic bags from the store. “Wal-Mart is also evaluating other strategies for reducing plastic waste that don’t involve removing free plastic bags from stores altogether. It is retraining some checkers to put more items in each sack, for instance, and is considering switching to thinner bags that contain less plastic,” Neufeld said.