Sao Paulo Supermarkets to Phase Out Plastic Bags

RIO DE JANEIRO—São Paulo state Governor Geraldo Alckmin signed an agreement May 9 with the Sao Paulo State Supermarket Association (APAS) to eliminate plastic bags from supermarkets in the state by Jan. 25, 2012. The association expects that virtually all of its 1,500 members, who represent 85 percent of the state’s supermarkets, will adhere to the accord, APAS Sustainability Director João Sanzovo told BNA May 10. “Such adherence means that our supermarket members pledge to convince customers, via in-store campaigns, to shop with reusable bags to avoid using plastic bags that our members will stop offering by Jan. 25, 2012,” ...