Canadian supermarket chain Sobeys announced yesterday (31st) that it will begin phasing out the use of plastic shopping bags immediately, and will implement this measure in all Sobeys stores nationwide by January next year. Customers will be required to bring their own reusable bags, and will be charged for paper bags if requested. After Sobeys stops using plastic bags, its 255 stores across the country will reduce their plastic bag usage by 225 million bags annually. This move is a significant first step for Sobeys in completely eliminating unnecessary plastic use within its system. Once this step is completed by early next year, they will reduce plastic bags and introduce paper bags in all their branded supermarkets, including Safeway, FreshCo, and Foodland. Their next step is to eliminate plastic bags in their IGA store on Montreal. Sobeys is a Canadian supermarket chain belonging to Empire Inc. Empire Inc. President and CEO Michael Medline stated that customers and employees have repeatedly expressed their desire for the supermarket to use less plastic. \u201cWe share their vision, and we\u2019ve decided to take action now, rather than researching for years and then making a long-term commitment.\u201d In August, Sobeys will introduce reusable mesh bags for customers to carry fresh fruits and vegetables. Sobeys has already stopped using plastic boxes for mini tomatoes, instead providing customers with recyclable paper to store them. The IGA store in Montreal will launch a campaign to encourage the use of reusable bags starting in September. For example, they will designate certain parking spaces specifically for customers using reusable bags. Several Chinese supermarket owners in Toronto say that eliminating plastic bags is an environmental trend, and they are all considering it. Some also say that a complete ban, with unified action, would be easier to implement. Wei Chengyi, who operates supermarkets in both Toronto and Vancouver, said that reducing or even eliminating plastic bags is something they have been considering. \u201cWe must follow the environmental trend,\u201d he said, adding that he is very interested in new alternatives to single-use plastic bags. His supermarkets have already introduced woven bags, which are currently given as gifts to customers who spend a certain amount. Chen Kai, who runs several supermarkets in the Greater Toronto Area, said that Toronto had implemented a plastic bag fee several years ago. This policy significantly reduced plastic bag usage. However, the city government eventually discontinued the policy. He understands that the federal government will enact legislation to ban plastic bags in the future, and they are considering using reusable bags. Although the annual cost of ordering plastic bags is already considerable, reusable bags are even more expensive. There's a concern that if plastic bags are abandoned, customers bringing their own bags will provide cover for theft. Therefore, as soon as the city's policy requiring plastic bags was discontinued, all Chinese supermarkets immediately resumed offering free plastic bags. This is largely the reason. Chen Kai said that this is indeed a problem. Another supermarket owner said that stopping the use of plastic bags will indeed bring some difficulties to supermarket operations. However, if the government legislates a complete ban, things might be easier. It would mean everyone enters a level playing field. Sobeys announced that all its stores nationwide will eliminate the use of plastic shopping bags in January next year.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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