Beans 4 Bags for a Greener Future 

One of Oryana’s core tenets is to provide Traverse City with groceries they can feel good about, and that often means supporting a cause we all care about. In addition to Groceries 4 Good, our Beans 4 Bags program rewards shoppers for using reusable bags. It’s one way to reduce waste from single-use plastic shopping bags while supporting organizations doing good in our community.  

How Beans 4 Bags Works 

When you use any reusable bag (including one of our durable cloth options), you’ll save ten cents. Instead of grabbing a dime, shoppers can take a bean from the register and “donate” it to one of four local nonprofits featured at customer service each month. We’ll match your dime, doubling your impact!  

Beans 4 Bags protects the planet, empowers local organizations, and makes grocery shopping feel good!  

Why Are Plastic Bags Bad for the Environment? 

Most plastic grocery bags aren’t biodegradable, pollute oceans, pile up in landfills, and harm wildlife. They take hundreds of years to break down, and when they do, they turn into microplastics that contaminate ecosystems.  

Plastic bags pose an immediate threat to many kinds of wildlife. Some animals mistake plastic bags for food or become entangled in them.  

Manufacturing plastic bags requires non-renewable petroleum and natural gas and produces greenhouse gases. Unfortunately, paper grocery bags aren’t much better; they require up to four times as much energy to produce compared to plastic, though most are biodegradable.  

Plastic bags can have a devastating environmental impact, but their incredibly low cost means many retailers still offer them. Oryana does not use plastic bags; even recyclable options have significant drawbacks.  

Why We Should Use Reusable Bags Instead of Plastic Bags 

Durable, reusable bags offer several advantages for the environment and your family!  

The benefits of reusable bags include: 

• Less litter in our community (and in local landfills) 

• Protected wildlife 

• Carry heavier groceries (and fewer trips between your car/bike and the house!) 

• Superior fashion accessory (look good, feel good) 

• Reduced environmental impact 

Reusable bags are worth it for the planet, for your family, and for the community. You’ll find quality, low-cost cloth shopping bags at both Oryana locations, but we welcome any reusable bag you have handy.  

Committed to Sustainability and Community 

Oryana Community Co-op is community-owned and built to put sustainability first. From supporting local farmers to running charitable programs like Beans 4 Bags, we aim to reflect our owners’ priorities and principles. Stay up to date with our initiatives, explore community events, get involved by joining our newsletter, and consider becoming an owner!  

Our Shoppers Are Driving Real Change