Westborn Market Launches Earth-Friendly Initiatives

Customers Receive Store Credit for Using Recycled Shopping Bags


BERKLEY, MI--(Marketwire - August 17, 2009) - Have you ever considered the number of plastic bags you receive on weekly shopping trips? It is estimated that the U.S. disposes of an overwhelming 100 billion plastic bags annually that end up buried under soil in landfills, so they do not easily degrade. Given these alarming statistics, Michigan grocer Westborn Market is making a commitment to be more earth friendly and help its customers as well.

Shoppers at any of Westborn Market's stores can now receive 10 cents a bag discount for each recycled shopping bag they use instead of conventional paper and plastic bags.

Additionally, the specialty grocer has partnered with AShirtBag, a Michigan non-profit organization that educates consumers about conservation, to co-brand limited edition Westborn Shopping totes that have been made from unused Westborn Market uniforms. These totes are available at the Berkley location only for a limited time.

"You can purchase our standard reusable totes from any of our locations or bring in your own reusable bags to receive the store credit," said James Moran, Westborn Market's director of operations. "This is only one of several steps we're taking to be more conscientious and earth friendly."

Moran detailed other Westborn Market initiatives that include placing recycling bins at all store locations for customers to dispose of paper and plastic trash, providing paper containers made from recycled materials as an alternative to plastic containers in the prepared foods department, and printing all in-store signs on recycled paper.

Other behind-the-scenes office initiatives include installing water purifiers to reduce the consumption of bottled water, recycling all office paperwork and encouraging the use of email instead of faxing.

"We realize these are only small steps to begin with, and we look forward to implementing other opportunities for our customers and our business that will help us to safeguard the environment," added Moran.

Westborn Market has stores in Dearborn, Berkley and Livonia. Location information, hours of operations, online ordering and store specials are available at www.westbornmarket.com or by calling 248-547-1000.

Contact Information: Media Contacts Bryan Bandyk Westborn Market 248-547-1000 Margaret Blohm, APR Margaux & Associates, LLC 313-406-3467

Westborn Market recycled shopping totes