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Metro to accept reusable containers for fresh food

New program to go into effect at Quebec stores next week

Russell Redman

April 16, 2019

1 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

Metro Inc. is taking a different approach to cut back on single-use plastics.

The Canadian supermarket chain said yesterday that, starting next week, customers will be able to bring in their own reusable containers and zipper bags to hold fresh food products purchased in Metro stores across Quebec.

Plans call for the deli, meat, ready-to-eat meals, fish and seafood, and bakery counters in all Metro stores in Quebec to accept customers’ resealable plastic containers and bags to package food beginning April 22.

“We want to reduce the use of single-use plastic packaging. This is why we implemented a simple structure for customers to bring their own containers from home without having to compromise the quality or safety of the products they purchase in our stores,” Marc Giroux, senior vice president at Metro, said in a statement.

Metro already has piloted the reusable container program at stores in Drummondville, L’Ancienne-Lorette and Saint-Eustache, Quebec.

Montreal-based Metro noted that the reusable container program is part of other efforts to lessen its environmental impact, including measures to manage its refuse, reduce food waste, optimize packaging and increase the energy efficiency of its buildings. For example, to help scale back plastic waste, the retailer in 2009 began charging shoppers five cents for single-use plastic bags, instead encouraging them to carry their groceries in reusable bags.

Related:Metro joins with Uber Eats for meal delivery

The company added that it’s now finalizing a policy for packaging and printed materials to further help reduce packaging waste. The new policy is slated to be released in the first half of 2019.

Overall, Metro’s retail network includes more than 600 food stores under the Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics banners as well as over 650 drug stores under the Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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