Trader Joe’s, in response to a petition signed by nearly 95,400 people urging the company to take a stronger stand on sustainability, has announced plans to remove more than 1 million pounds of plastic from its stores in 2019. The popular grocery chain is evaluating its packaging and making thoughtful changes to reduce its plastic footprint.

Trader Joe’s has already implemented several strategies to reduce plastic usage, such as eliminating single-use carryout bags, replacing plastic bags and Styrofoam in the produce department with biodegradable and compostable alternatives, and educating customers about responsible disposal of packaging materials.

In the coming year, Trader Joe’s aims to further reduce plastic waste by decreasing the use of plastic bags for produce items like apples and potatoes. They also plan to replace Styrofoam trays for meat with recyclable PET1 trays, swap plastic greeting card sleeves and cut flower bags with compostable materials, and eliminate non-recyclable plastic and foil pouches from tea packaging.

The company believes that reducing its plastic footprint will enhance the in-store experience that its customer base values. Trader Joe’s is committed to sharing information openly about its progress as it continues to work towards sustainability.

In addition to plastic reduction, Trader Joe’s is actively eliminating harmful substances from its packaging. The company has instructed its vendors to avoid using Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol S (BPS), Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs), Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Polystyrene (PS), Styrene, and Phthalates.

This move by Trader Joe’s aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainable practices in the retail industry. By addressing concerns about plastic waste and harmful chemicals, Trader Joe’s aims to provide a more environmentally friendly shopping experience for its customers.