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Sobeys to eliminate plastic grocery bags at all stores

Company says it will be Canada’s first national grocer to do so

Russell Redman

July 31, 2019

3 Min Read
Sobeys_First_National_Grocer_to_Eliminate_Plastic_Ba.jpg
While phasing out plastic grocery bags, Sobeys aims to promote adoption of reusable shopping bags across its retail banners.Sobeys Inc.

By early next year, single-use plastic bags will be a thing of the past at Sobeys supermarkets in Canada.

The Stellarton, Nova Scotia-based retailer said Wednesday that it aims to remove plastic grocery bags at all of its 255 Sobeys-banner locations across Canada by the end of January 2020, making it the country’s first national supermarket chain to eliminate use of the bags. With the move, 225 million of the plastic bags will be taken out of circulation, the company reported.

"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," said Michael Medline, president and CEO of Sobeys Inc. and its parent company, Empire Co. Ltd. "This is a first step, and we plan to make meaningful progress every year to take plastic out of our stores and our products.”

After completing the process at Sobeys locations, the company plans to phase out plastic grocery bags and replace them with paper bags across its retail banners, including Safeway, FreshCo and Foodland, among others. Next up will be the removal of the plastic bags at IGA stores on Montreal Island in Quebec.

“We decided to act now instead of taking years to study and only make long-term commitments,” according to Medline. “We're taking action now, making a tangible difference today and into the future. This is a significant first step, but it's only a first step. We need to go further, and we will."

Related:Loblaw to pilot Loop reusable packaging

Sobeys noted that it also is instituting programs to reduce plastics in other areas of the store as well as to sway customers to use reusable bags that can later be returned for recycling at the retailer’s stores.

In August, for example, Sobeys plans to introduce reusable mesh bags in the produce aisle to give customers an alternative to single-use plastic bags for carrying their fresh fruit and vegetables. Made from recycled water bottles, the mesh produce bags made their debut at IGA in Quebec last month and have won kudos from customers, the company said.

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Vittoria Viralli, VP of sustainability at Sobeys, bags produce with a new reusable, recyclable mesh bags being introduced at select stores.

IGA stores on Montreal Island also are slated to launch a campaign in September to spur adoption of reusable shopping bags. Efforts include designated parking spots for customers who bring reusable bags and promotional offers on reusable bags and boxes.

Meanwhile, the Sobeys banner has begun phasing out unnecessary plastic from snacking tomatoes in its Sobeys Urban Fresh stores in Toronto. The retailer said shoppers instead are given recyclable paper bags to carry the tomatoes.

"It's time for change, and we will not stop innovating and bringing to market new ways to remove avoidable plastic from retail," said Vittoria Varalli, vice president of sustainability at Sobeys. "We are working with our industry partners and key stakeholders on eradicating plastics from the system. There are many factors to balance, like food waste and food safety, when assessing the need for packaging in the grocery retail supply chain. It will take a collective effort to drive real, meaningful change for the future."

Related:Metro to accept reusable containers for fresh food

Sobeys added that it has partnered with student organization Enactus Canada on a community-empowerment project to challenge young Canadians to find solutions to reduce unnecessary plastics for grocery retailers and consumers, as well as encourage behavioral change in plastics use.

Overall, Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1,500 stores in 10 provinces under the Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy and Lawtons Drug banners. The retailer also has over 350 retail fuel locations.

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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