Does Safeway Recycle Plastic Bags? (+ Do They Have a Bottle Return?)

Grocery and retail stores are continuously introducing new ways to be more environmentally friendly. Many stores are implementing practices such as recycling into their waste routine.

If you’re a Safeway customer, perhaps you’re wondering if they recycle their plastic grocery bags. If so, continue reading this article to see what I learned!

Does Safeway Recycle Plastic Bags?

Safeway stores do have plastic bag recycling depots which can be found at the entrance of all store locations as of 2024. Additionally, the Safeway plastic bag dropoff is a free-to-use program that is part of Safeway’s environmental initiatives. Safeway is also phasing out the use of plastic bags at all its stores.

If you’d like to learn more about Safeway’s recycling practices, if they offer reusable bags, if they have a bottle return, and more, continue reading through this article for more helpful information.

Does Safeway Accept Bottle Returns?

Select Safeway stores offer a bottle drop-off depot outside of their buildings. Safeway has teamed up with companies such as BottleDrop to place bottle return stations on their properties.

In Canada, some Safeway locations in British Columbia have teamed up with Return It Depot to drop off glass and plastic bottles.

Not every Safeway location will accept bottle returns. However, some stores may accept them even if they do not currently advertise this service.

Therefore, customers who would like to utilize the Safeway bottle return service are recommended to phone their local Safeway and inquire about their participation in this program.

In addition to phoning their local stores, customers can find participating stores using the Encorp Pacific, Recycle Stuff, and BottleDrop search engines.

Currently, Safeway stores in Oregon, San Jose, British Columbia, plus many other locations offer a bottle return service.

Does Safeway Pack Groceries With Plastic Bags?

Does Safeway Recycle?

Previously, all Safeway stores packed customers’ groceries in plastic bags. However, Safeway has announced they will begin removing plastic bags from stores.

Safeway is asking that customers bring their own grocery bags to their stores from this point forward, or they can purchase brown paper bags for $0.15 per bag.

It is currently unclear when all Safeway locations will be plastic bag-free. However, customers can phone their local Safeway about their use of plastic bags if they would prefer to use alternative bags.

Additionally, if a customer’s Safeway store still uses plastic bags and would like an alternative, they are recommended to purchase reusable grocery bags and bring them to Safeway when shopping.

Does Safeway Sell Reusable Bags?

In addition to discarding the use of plastic bags and their plastic bag dropoff depots, Safeway also sells reusable grocery bags that customers can purchase and bring to Safeway stores when doing their grocery shopping.

Reusable grocery bags at Safeway and other companies will generally cost between $0.99 and $3.00, though this may vary per bag size and store location.

If customers would like an exact price for reusable bags at their local Safeway, they can call the customer service desk and ask for assistance or check their store in person.

Does Safeway Recycle?

Safeway has been an environmentally conscious company for about 50 years and has been recycling its product waste for the same amount of time.

According to Safeway’s Environmental Initiatives, they have recycling depots outside every store for customers to utilize and encourage them to purchase reusable bags.

The company set a recent goal to divert an average of 70% of materials from landfills through recycling plastic and other recyclables and composting other store waste materials.

If you are looking to learn more on how you can recycle, you can also read our related posts on whether or not Target, Home Depot, and Walmart recycle plastic bags & bottles.

Photo of author

Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

Leave a Comment