Kroger thinks green with reusable bag design contest

CINCINNATI In line with its sustainability efforts, Kroger is launching its annual online contest for customers to design a reusable shopping bag.

Beginning April 12 and running through May 21, customers can go online at Kroger.com/green to submit their designs for Kroger's reusable grocery bags. The winning designer will receive a $1,000 gift card and a chance to see their bag design sold in Kroger stores. In addition to the winner of the contest, four finalists will be awarded a $250 Kroger gift card and five runners-up will receive a $100 Kroger gift card.

During the contest, anyone who designs a bag and has a valid shopper card will receive an electronic coupon for a free reusable bag (99  cent value) loaded directly to their card, where applicable. Kroger also has partnered with Cafe Press so would-be designers can purchase a reusable bag with their own design on it.

"By using more reusable shopping bags and engaging in more efficient bagging techniques, Kroger customers and associates diverted nearly 200 million plastic bags from local landfills –– about 20% toward our goal of saving 1 billion plastic bags," said Lynn Marmer, group VP corporate affairs for Kroger. "The Design a Reusable Shopping Bag Contest is a fun, creative way to encourage our customers to use fewer plastic bags."