Chicago Bag Ban A Good First Step But Success Requires Consumer Behavior Change With The MY ECO Program

CHICAGO, July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The plastic bag ordinance comes into effect in less than 48 hours in the City of Chicago with the goal to push consumers to reduce disposable bag consumption and shift to reusable bags. The legislation and the retailers' plans are critical steps to achieve this goal but will not change consumer behavior on their own – what's missing is a way to encourage, incent, and reward this behavior change – this is the MY ECO program.

The initial period for shoppers will bear a striking resemblance to life before the ban. Many retailers will continue to provide plastic bags, just a little thicker, in order to comply with the ordinance. Many others will offer paper bags. While this remains convenient for the consumer, it does not encourage the behavior change necessary to drive reuse.

What's missing in this initiative are incentives and rewards for consumers to act differently. The MY ECO mobile app is specifically designed to address this and help consumers remember their bags both at home and as they approach the store. MY ECO tracks reuse and provides incentives (reuse points) for checking in at the store. These points can be used to claim rewards from the MY ECO catalog. 

Discussions are already underway to revise the Chicag ordinance. The goal remains to reduce disposable bag consumption in the city. New legislation would remind people again about the need for change but will not actively support consumers as they attempt to make the shift to reuse. A variety of disposable options at checkout will continue to reinforce the current behavior and make change harder.

MY ECO is Chicago's partner in change to help realize the goals or reduction and help retailers navigate the changing consumer behavior landscape. Shoppers should download the MY ECO app from the Apple or Google app stores and set up a free account today. Then ask your local retailer when they will be offering reuse points to reward you for remembering your bags.

"The plastic bag ordinance is designed to reduce plastic bag trash in our city and reduce the money and time wasted cleaning up these non-biodegradable bags. I want Chicago to be the greenest city in the world," said Alderman Joe Moreno, 1^st Ward. "MY ECO is offering Chicago an innovative solution to the simple behavior problem of forgetting our own bags, which many of us have at home. I encourage retailers to adopt MY ECO's behavioral approach and support this campaign."

About MY ECO

MY ECO works with communities to encourage and reward sustainable behavior. We use a combination of technology and incentives to educate residents and support sustainable choices. The MY ECO approach helps consumers break the disposable habit through positive reinforcement, social engagement and financial incentives; and by creating a collaborative relationship between consumers and retailers. Learn more at www.getmyeco.com

Contact:

Ryan Ruskin, MY ECO
(773) 320-4838
[email protected]

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chicago-bag-ban-a-good-first-step-but-success-requires-consumer-behavior-change-with-the-my-eco-program-300121619.html

SOURCE MY ECO

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