Return Shopping Bags for Money Back in New Jersey Through July 17

As more states and communities ban single-use plastic bags, reusable shopping bags are essential to your shopping trips. But what happens if you forget your bags for an impromptu shopping trip? Your options are often limited to buying another reusable bag (to add to your growing stash) or going without. Returnable Bag is a new pilot program in New Jersey that hopes to address this exact problem.

Basically, you’ll get a bag at a kiosk for a low price. Use the bag. And if you return it, you get your money back. It saves you on bag storage space and saves the environment by helping to reduce plastic bag waste. Sounds pretty good, right? We’ve got the details on what Returnable Bag is, how it works, and where you can try it.

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The Returnable Bag program allows you to “rent” a bag and return it later.

Returnable Bag is a pilot program for returnable shopping bags at stores. Think about it like renting a bag and getting your rental fee back as soon as you return it. The program is part of a multi-year project by the Closed Loop Partners’ Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag. The group, with CVS, Target, and Walmart as its founding partners, focuses on developing alternatives to single-use plastic bags. Other major retailers that have signed on include:

• Dick’s Sporting Goods
• The Kroger Co.
• Dollar General
• TJX
• Ulta Beauty
• Albertsons Companies
• Meijer
• Hy-Vee
• Ahold Delhaize USA Brands
• Walgreens

 

So, how does Returnable Bag work?

If you need a bag while shopping, you can purchase a Returnable Bag shopping bag for $1 from a Bag Drop kiosk in participating stores. Each bag has a unique QR code that allows you to take the bag home and return it at the kiosk and get a cash refund the next time you shop (if you no longer need it).

Returned bags are inspected and sanitized, then returned to participating retailers for recirculation.

Note, the price per bag may vary.

 

You can only find Returnable Bag at participating stores in New Jersey (so far).

The pilot program will take place through July 17, 2023, at the following 10 participating locations around New Jersey.

CVS Health

Cherry Hill, New Jersey

• 1 Route 70 E.
• 100 Springdale Rd.
• 600 Kings Hwy N.
• 1900 Route 70 E.

Marlton, New Jersey

• 180 W Greentree Rd.
• 360 Route 73 S.
• 401 Taunton Lake Rd.

Target

Cherry Hill, New Jersey

• 2137 NJ-38

Marlton, New Jersey

• 751 Route 73 S.

Mount Laurel

• 4 Centerton Rd.

 

Returnable Bag FAQs

How many Returnable Bags can you get?

There’s no limit to the number of bags you buy. But truly, how many reusable bags do you really need?

How long can I keep the Returnable Bag?

You can keep it forever if you want, but if you want your money back, you’ll have to return it to the Bag Drop kiosk by August 13, 2023.

You can return up to 20 bags at a time.

Can I return a damaged Returnable Bag?

Yes, the Drop Bag kiosk will accept damaged Returnable Bags.

What do I do if the Drop Bag kiosk doesn’t give me my cash refund?

You can connect with the Support team for help by tapping the green question mark button (lower right-hand corner) on the Drop Bag screen.

Is the program available in other cities?

No, as of this writing, the Returnable Bag and its Drop Bag kiosk are only available in the New Jersey cities mentioned above. However, we assume if this pilot goes well, we may see this program pop up at other locations.