COSTCO, the nation’s largest discount retailer, will sell its blue paper cloth towels, a move that comes amid growing concern over the health effects of plastic pollution.
The move, announced Thursday by Chief Executive Officer Tim Bischoff, marks the latest move in a trend in which large retailers have begun to sell the disposable, disposable-sized cloths that contain the highest concentrations of plastic, including the highly toxic polyethylene and polypropylene, as well as polypropylene and plastic.
Bischoff said in a statement that the new line will be priced from $200 to $600.
The move follows a similar announcement from Target and Home Depot last year, where the two discount retailers also said they would begin selling blue paper sheets.
The company’s decision is part of a broader shift toward selling the most expensive items, said Robert Larkin, senior analyst at research firm CB Insights.
He said the change reflects the growing awareness that plastic is a health threat and the company’s need to sell at least some of the items.
Costco has sold a record number of products in 2017, including blue sheets, blue towels and plastic towels, according to the company.