A grocery store art installation in New York City is only stocking products made of single-use plastic. The Plastic Bag Store is a popup art exhibit and detailed replica of a grocery store open to the public for free in Times Square.
The exhibit opens as New York state's plastic bag ban is reinstated, which says that all retailers that collect sales tax may not use plastic bags. Some companies, like Walmart and CVS, have taken advantage of laws like New York's to market themselves as environmentally friendly, partnering on the Beyond the Bag Initiative that aims to "reinvent the single-use plastic retail bag." Target similarly invites consumers to see how it will "leave the planet better for future families to enjoy."
Retailers like Starbucks have dealt with regulations on plastic in other areas of their business. Plastic straws in particular have been the target of criticisms and bans for possible danger to sea life, and the long times that they take to decompose. Starbucks eliminated plastic straws in favor of recycleable lids for cold drinks, with non-plastic straws available on request. McDonald's switched to paper straws in the UK and some US locations, although customers weren't happy with the replacements.
The Plastic Bag Store will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays, October 22 through November 7. Guests must register online before attending. Take a look inside the exhibit here.