Sobeys to end use of plastic bags by January
Sobeys Inc. has become Canada’s first national grocery chain to say it will drop plastic bags.
The Stellarton, N.s.-based company said Wednesday it will adopt paper and reusable bags at its 255 outlets across the country by January. The move will be followed next year in its Safeway, Freshco and Foodland stores, as well as IGA locations in Montreal.
In September, IGA stores in Montreal will offer designated parking spots for customers who bring reusable bags.
Sobeys’ parent company, Empire Co. Ltd., also owns Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy and Lawton’s Drug Stores plus 350 gas stations.
“So many of our customers and our employees have told us loud and clear — they want us to use less plastic — and we agree with them,” Michael Medline, Empire president and chief executive, said in a statement. “This is a first step, and we plan to make meaningful progress every year to take plastic out of our stores and our products.”
The grocer this month is introducing reusable mesh bags made from recycled water bottles to carry fresh produce. It’s also partnering with student group Enactus Canada to challenge youth to find innovative solutions to reduce plastics in the food supply chain.
Sobey’s effort with industry partners faces challenges such as balancing food waste and food safety with the need for packaging, according to Vittoria Varalli, the grocer’s vice president of sustainability. “It’s time for change, and we will not stop innovating and bringing to market new ways to remove avoidable plastic from retail,” Varalli said in the statement.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in June announced plans to ban by early 2021 some single-use plastics such as straws, bags and cutlery.