Many customers said they support the decision.

“I’m thrilled,” said Rebecca Lichtenthal, a Fredonia resident who was shopping inside the West Ellicott store Monday.

Wegmans announced that the removal of single-use plastic bags will take effect later this month, about two months ahead of a statewide ban beginning March 1.

The early removal follows a two-store pilot in Corning and Ithaca that the privately held supermarket chain determined was successful. Wegmans said its goal is to “shift all customers to reusable bags, the best option to solve the environmental challenge of single-use grocery bags.”

A recent company-wide survey of Wegmans customers found that 95% already own at least one reusable bag, and 87% have three or more. P-J photo by Jordan W. Patterson

“All of New York state customers at the point of sale will no longer have plastic bags as of March 1. So we have piloted a program for the last few months in two of our other New York state stores for us to be able to do this earlier than March 1,” said Ryan Salvo, the West Ellicott store manager. “We’re excited about the environmental impact of having our customers switch to reusable, but we want to make that process as smooth and easy for them as we can. Our customers will see a lot of different, a lot of new opportunities for reusable bags here.”

While the company’s primary goal is to transition customers to reusable bags, paper bags will also be available. At stores where the county or municipality choose not to institute a 5 cent fee for paper bags, Wegmans will charge 5 cents per bag. The amount collected from the paper bag charge will be donated to the local food bank serving each region.

Wegmans introduced reusable bags in 2007, and the company said it has put an emphasis on educating customers of their benefits.

“I’m excited to hear that they’re doing it early, and from the standpoint of the store, Wegmans has to be one of the most powerful chains of grocery stores in New York state,” said Jason Toczydlowski, a Bemus Point resident. “So for them to make a positive movement toward eliminating plastic bags is fantastic. I have no problem at all. I have for a few years been trained to bring my bags. I lived in Europe and abroad where it was unthinkable to be using plastic all the time. … I just think it’s an easy thing once people are trained to do it and they will just continue to do it.

Within the next three weeks, customers will see more options being made available in the store. Current reusable bags cost 99 cents, but more of a variety will be coming soon including different bag designs and higher-end options.

A recent company-wide survey of Wegmans customers found that 95% already own at least one reusable bag, and 87% have three or more. For those customers who regularly use reusable bags, their top three reasons for choosing them over single-use, in addition to the environmental benefits, are sturdiness, handles and ease of packing.

Salvo believes it will take customers some time to get used to the change. “I think the biggest thing we see is customers forgetting their reusable bags,” he said.

The store will begin to post more signs reminding customers to bring their reusable bags.

“I’ve always made an effort to use reusable bags anyways, so for me it’s not a huge deal,” said Jonna Lampard, a Jamestown resident.

Lampard maintained that she often tries to remain as “eco-friendly” as she can. As for the reusable bags, she leaves them in her car to circumvent her forgetting them at home.

Wegmans first announced in April that it would eliminate plastic single-use grocery bags ahead of the New York state ban.

Several local officials, including State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, and State Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown, have opposed the statewide ban. Borrello, in April 2019, said a ban on plastic bags would harm local retailers.