Can You Recycle at the Co-op? Yes ... and No
added 10/28/08
by Emily Neuman, Sustainability Coordinator
The Co-op provides its shoppers with the opportunity to recycle items purchased at our stores that are not easily recyclable through the programs offered by local towns, and we also provide container recycling for beverages consumed on-site.
| Item | How to Identify |
| Co-op brand plastic shopping bags | Co-op logo; tan color |
| EcoPak containers | EcoPak logo embossed on lid |
| Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs | “Hg” on the base |
Do not bring your household beverage containers to the Co-op for recycling. They should be recycled through your Solid Waste District or town. We cannot recycle any plastic bag other than our own tan Co-op bag. Please refrain from placing other plastic bags in our recycling bin.
What Do You Think?
Have some thoughts about this article? We’d love to hear from you! Please email us your suggestion or question.
Food Cooperatives: Organic Before Organic Was Cool
Organic. What a loaded word these days. Along with the word green, the word organic can sound like a marketing strategy more than anything. But cooperatives were organic long before organic was cool, and we’re big believers that organic production delivers delicious food and promotes sustainable agriculture—two things that are important to both food producers and consumers. The modern story of organic farming in America began in the 1960s, a time of social re-examination. In agriculture, the movement was led by “back to the land” types who set out to build their own houses, grow their own food, and live life at the pace of the seasons. Many of these people had grown up in urban settings and had little experience in these things. That lack of tradition, combined with the philosophy that “natural is better,” contributed to the development of organic farming methods. Try the difference for yourself! Check out our Wild About Organic promotion, where you can find special prices on organic products all over our stores.
Meet Jolene Labonte
It’s not easy keeping the big and busy Co-op Merchandising area organized. In fact, it was so difficult that not long ago we realized someone special needed to help us with it. Fortunately, Jolene agreed to take on the job, and we’re lucky that she did. Jolene has been at the Co-op for a long time. She’s smart, friendly, and super organized. She spent years helping customers at our Service Desk, and was so good at what she did she was given more responsibility. Now she assists our Merchandising Director and Assistant Director, and with her help all of our merchandisers can more easily do what they do so well.
