RETURNABLE BAG FAQ
CVS Health and Target, two Founding Partners of the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag, are piloting a “returnable bag service” for customers, for the instances when they forget to bring their own reusable bags to stores. The team behind the Returnable Bag Service is here to answer your questions about the solution. Please refer to our most frequently asked questions below, and if you still need help, reach out to our support team.
Email: [email protected]
About the Bags
What are Returnable Bags?
Returnable Bags are reusable bags that you can buy at checkout, use to bring your goods home, and return at a Bag Drop located at participating retailers for a cash refund.
Show moreReturned bags will be regularly collected from the Bag Drop and inspected and sanitized, before being returned to participating retailers for recirculation.
What is a Bag Drop?
A Bag Drop is a kiosk found at participating retailers where Returnable Bags can be returned for a refund through August 13, 2023.
Show moreReturned bags will be regularly collected from the Bag Drop and inspected and sanitized, before being returned to participating retailers for recirculation throughout this period.
Who created the Returnable Bag Service?
The service was designed and is managed by Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy and its Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag.
Show moreThe service offers a solution to customers who forget to bring their own reusable bags to stores but don’t want to buy another reusable bag to keep, and it is being piloted with CVS Health and Target, two Founding Partners of the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag.
What are Returnable Bags made of?
Returnable Bags are made of a 100% non-woven polypropylene.
Show moreIt is similar in design, dimensions and material to those of many reusable bags you likely already own. It is designed to be washed and reused 125 times, and the durability of the bags was a priority in material selection.
Is a Returnable Bag service better for the environment than other bag alternatives?
Our research has shown that customers already own enough or too many generic reusable bags that they cannot return.
Show moreHowever, for times when customers might forget to bring already owned bags to a store, a Returnable Bag Service allows for additional bags to be “borrowed” and later returned, rather than further accumulate at home. We are currently testing and measuring the environmental impact of this new system and believe it can be better for the environment than existing alternatives.
Getting Bags at Checkout
Where can I get Returnable Bags?
Participating CVS Pharmacy and Target locations in New Jersey––specifically, Cherry Hill, Marlton and Mt. Laurel––have Returnable Bags available at check out.
Show moreOnly Returnable Bags with a Returnable Bag QR code are eligible for a refund at participating retailers with Bag Drops in stores. Just look for the QR code on this bag when you’re checking out:
What is the price of a Returnable Bag?
Prices may vary at individual retailers, but the recommended retail price (MSRP) is $1.
Show moreHow many Returnable Bags can I get? Is there a limit?
There is no limit to how many bags you can get but we encourage that you only use what you need.
Show moreWill the Returnable Bag(s) I receive have been used previously by someone else?
You may receive new Returnable Bags, but it’s possible you will receive a bag that has been previously used.
Show moreEvery Returnable Bag gets inspected, laundered and sanitized before it is available for reuse. The goal is to keep bags in circulation for as long as possible.
Returning Bags
How long can I keep the Returnable Bag(s), and do I have to return it at all?
You can keep any Returnable Bags and continue to reuse them for as long as you’d like, however, bags will only be eligible for a refund at participating Bag Drops through August 13, 2023.
Show moreWhere can I return Returnable Bags?
Returnable Bags may be returned at any Bag Drop found at participating retailers.
Show moreCherry Hill, NJ
CVS, 100 Springdale Rd, Holly Ravine Plaza, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
CVS, 1900 RT 70 E., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
CVS, 600 Kings Hwy N, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
CVS, 1 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Target, 2137 Route 38, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002-2045
Marlton, NJ
CVS, 360 Rte 73 South, Marlton, NJ 08053
CVS, 401 Taunton Lake Rd, Marlton, NJ 08053
CVS, 180 W Greentree Rd, Marlton, NJ 08053
Target, 751 Route 73 S, Marlton, NJ 08053-9637
Mt. Laurel, NJ
Target, 4 Centerton Rd, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054-6102
How do I get a refund?
Visit a participating retailer and find the Bag Drop located at the front of the store. Scan the QR code located on the top left of the Returnable Bag to start the process.
Show moreThe Bag Drop will guide you through the refund process and your cash will be refunded once the scanned bags are deposited into the bag drop. Watch this video to see how the Bag Drop works.
How much will my refund be, and in what form of payment?
You will be refunded $1 in cash per Returnable Bag scanned and deposited into the Bag Drop (any applicable sales tax cannot be refunded).
Show moreHow many Returnable Bags can I return at one time?
You can return up to 20 Returnable Bags per return session at any time through August 13, 2023.
Show moreIf you have more than 20 bags to return, after returning the first 20 simply start another return session.
Can I still get a refund if my Returnable Bag is damaged?
Yes, even damaged bags will be accepted.
Show moreWhy won’t the Bag Drop accept my bag?
Only Returnable Bags with a valid QR code will be accepted at a Bag Drop.
Show morePlease make sure you’re scanning the QR code on the top left corner of the bag. If you scan a barcode or a label from a different bag, the Bag Drop will not process your bag. Watch this video to see how to scan the correct label.
I scanned the bag, but the Bag Drop did not give me a cash refund; what do I do?
Please reach out to our Support team to troubleshoot the issue.
Show moreBags that have already been refunded will not be eligible for a return, however we’re here to help! Please contact our Support team directly from the Bag Drop by tapping the help button on the bottom right corner. Watch this video to find the help button.
After the Return
What happens to the Returnable Bag(s) I return?
All returned bags will be inspected, washed and sanitized.
Show moreCleaned and undamaged bags will be returned to participating retailers for recirculation and reuse. Damaged bags will be repaired or recovered where possible.
Why can’t I recycle the Returnable Bag myself?
We encourage customers to avoid placing reusable bags in their curbside collection as the recyclability of these materials depends on the available infrastructure in different municipalities and is typically not accepted.
Show moreWe encourage customers to keep using the bags and/or return them for a cash refund at participating retailers.
Can I return/recycle other reusable bags at the Bag Drop?
The Bag Drop can only accept Returnable Bags with a valid QR code at this time.
Show more