Coalition Launches First-of-Its-Kind Earth Day Initiative SAN FRANCISCO, April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans will use over 100 billion plastic shopping bags this year alone -- and plastic bags never fully degrade, making them a growing problem in our communities and landfills. To help educate consumers about this growing problem and to provide them alternatives to help mitigate it, Albertsons stores, the California Coastal Commission, Earthwise Bag Company and California owned and operated CBS Television Stations announced today the launch of a major public education campaign. Through broadcast media and an in-store educational campaign, the initiative will educate consumers about the threat that plastic bags pose to our environment. It then urges them to reduce plastic bag consumption, use reusable shopping bags during their regular trips to the grocery store and recycle their unwanted plastic bags at Albertsons stores. The program, set to run through the month of April, combines public service announcements and paid media time on the Viacom stations, as well as educational materials and in-store media in Albertsons stores throughout California and Nevada. "I don't think people realize what a problem plastic bags pose to our environment and our marine life -- or how they can take a few simple steps to help solve the problem," explains Eben Schwartz of the California Coastal Commission. "It is my hope that the work of these strong business partners and this public education campaign, that we will begin to reduce plastic bag consumption throughout California." In addition to sponsoring this campaign and educating customers at their 475 California and Nevada stores, Albertsons stores have retrained all of their front-end associates on how to minimize bag usage and encourage customers to bring reusable shopping bags when they come to their stores. "Albertsons is doing its part to reduce plastic bag consumption and minimize the impact of plastic in the waste stream. It is my hope that through this public education campaign our shoppers will begin to realize that they can make a difference, too," said Pete Van Helden, Chief Executive Officer and President of Albertsons' California division. Participating CBS television stations include KCBS and KCAL in Los Angeles, KPIX and UPN Bay Area, KOVR and KMAX in Sacramento. Last year Albertsons recycled over 6,000 tons of plastic bags, wrap and film. Albertsons is one of the world's largest food and drug retailers. The Company's divisions and subsidiaries operate approximately 2,500 stores in 37 states across the U.S. and employ approximately 240,000 associates. Its banners include Albertsons, Acme, Shaw's, Jewel-Osco, Sav-on Drugs, Osco Drug, and Star Market, as well as Super Saver and Bristol Farms, which are operated independently. DATASOURCE: Albertsons CONTACT: Stacia Levenfeld of Albertsons, +1-510-678-5444; or Eben Schwartz of California Coastal Commission, +1-415-904-5210

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