Mind the Store

Last month, TJX—the parent company of TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Home Goods, and Sierra Trading Post—announced on its website it is developing an expanded “Chemical Management” strategy. 

On August 6^th, we co-released a report in conjunction with the Mind the Store campaign titled “Packaged in Pollution.” The report found that PFAS chemicals are used in food packaging and food service ware to repel grease and liquids so food wrappers for burgers, fries, sandwiches and molded fiber plates and bowls are likely culprits. 

This week, we helped to release the 4^th annual Who’s Minding the Store? www.retailerreportcard.org report card grading 43 major retailers on their actions to keep toxic chemicals out of products and packaging.

We’re celebrating some big wins with our Mind the Store campaign work this fall! This campaign focuses on targeting major retailers and urging them to work with their suppliers to shift away from toxic chemicals in products, including the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS or per and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Recent highlights include: 

September 17, 2019: Home Depot announces it will no longer sell carpets or textiles containing PFAS chemicals.

How can your City green its procurement? Safer States developed a Sustainable Procurement Roadmap with sample policies and strategies for implementation. Both the Center for Environmental Health and the Responsible Purchasing Network are available for one-on-one technical support.

Today, I joined the Clean Water Action Boston team to pay a visit to a Star Market in Boston as a part of a national Mind the Store campaign week of action. While other large chain stores like Walmart and CVS have come to the table to implement policy that would phase out their products that contain toxic chemicals, Albertsons – the parent company of Star Market - has refused to do so.

Personal Care Products – What’s going on your body, and down the drain?