Why is Safeway so anti-environment?

Some cities get it. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Austin are just four of many cities that have banned the use of non reusable shopping bags because of their toxic effect on the environment and their significant contributions to higher energy costs. Even some stores get it. IKEA is just one example.

Typical Tom Thumb customer wth groceries in plastic bags
destined to kill more animals and clog streams and landfills

Now, an outright ban on reusable bags will never happen in my lifetime in Dallas. Even if the Dallas City Council weren’t in the hip pocket of "big bizness" and the oil cartels, its members are simply too timid to take such a bold step. The city likes to brag how it’s "going green," but it’s more of a lima bean green than a forest green.

Plus Safeway has too many stores in the Dallas area (operating under the Tom Thumb brand) and Safeway is obviously anti-environment, anti-reusable shopping bags.

Have you ever brought a reusable bag to a Tom Thumb store and then tried to use the store’s self-service checkout lanes? It’s an exercise in absolutely frustration.

First, if you place your bag in the general bagging area, the machine will scold you, saying "Unwanted item in bagging area. Remove this item immediately before proceeding."

OK. So you put the bag on the floor, and then try to scan your items and place them in your bag. But each time you do, the screen will say "skip bagging" and you have to touch it to continue. After scanning four items and touching "skip bagging" four times, the machine will lock up on your and won’t allow you to continue to check out until store personnel come to your rescue, which they never do.

Sorry, I am firmly committed to using my reusable shopping bags, which means I won’t be shopping at Tom Thumb any longer. In fact, I urge everyone who cares about preserving our environment and doing whatever individuals can do to keep energy costs down to boycott Tom Thumb stores.

I have filed a written protest about this directly with the corporate Safeway offices and am anxiously awaiting a reply. If and when I receive one, I will make it public right here.