The move is part of the company's overall efforts to reduce its overall environmental footprint and single-use plastic in its operation
One of the Loblaws locations in Bayview Village, Toronto. (Credit: Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine from Wikimedia Commons)
Canadian retail company Loblaw has announced its transition from single-use plastic shopping bags to reusable bags at its stores in Alberta and British Columbia.
Loblaw will begin the shift from its stores like Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, Real Canadian Liquor Store, Extra Foods and PC Express.
The move is part of the company’s overall efforts to reduce its overall environmental footprint and single-use plastic in its operation.
Loblaw Companies chief operating officer Robert Sawyer said: “We are a purpose-led organization, with a goal to help Canadians live life well. Our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint is an important part of that.
“Our efforts to remove single-use plastic bags from our stores have already resulted in 13 billion fewer bags going to landfill. But we know there’s more work to be done.
“Today’s announcement represents our continued commitment to protecting our environment across the region and beyond.”
The Canadian retailer will also encourage its customers to bring their own bags to the stores. However, it will also provide a range of reusable bags like black PC reusable bags or PC reusable totes at checkout lanes.
Loblaw has committed to reducing plastic waste by making its control brand and in-store packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025. It also has plans to send zero food waste to landfills by 2030.
Additionally, the Canadian firm has a target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for Scopes 1 through 2 by 2040 and for Scope 3 by 2050.
Loblaw is a food and pharmacy retailer with a network of 2,500 stores. It brings food, pharmacy, beauty, apparel and financial services to customers through some known brands in Canada.
In June last year, Loblaw announced plans to remove single-use plastic shopping bags from its stores. The company said that the imposition of a plastic bag fee resulted in a 70% reduction in the use of plastic bags in its stores.