(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Several years ago, I made a choice to switch to reusable grocery bags. But when I go to the Whole Foods on Beacon Street, I am cornered into filling those cloth bags to the brim with single-use plastic. From the plastic bags I use to hold my fruits and vegetables to the plastic containers that carry my soups and salads, I always seem to leave the store with my arms full of pollution.

All of that plastic is going to waste in our land and waterways, where it will take thousands of years to degrade. Or worse, where it will break down into tiny fibers that seep into the food chain. In fact, humans already ingest about a credit card’s worth of plastic every week.

It’s time for companies to step up and provide consumers with more environmentally friendly options, starting with Whole Foods. Whole Foods brands itself as a sustainable grocery store, and its customers are willing to pay a premium price to feel like they are being conscious consumers. But the company is lagging behind when it comes to plastic waste.

Next time I go grocery shopping, I want to know that the products I am buying won’t hurt the planet for centuries to come. Whole Foods should put the planet over plastic by eliminating their single-use plastic packaging.

Sincerely,

Brynn Furey
Somerville