TRURO, N.S. — People will soon be making more effort to remember their reusable bags when they visit Sobeys.
All plastic carry bags will be removed from Sobeys stores across Canada by the end of this month.
“I like the idea of Sobeys not using plastic bags after the end of the month,” said shopper Robin Sanford. “I just hope that other stores follow suit. There’s lots of cheap options around for reusable bags and many sizes and they even sell them right at the checkout should you forget your bags. I think it’s a great step. Some people will find it inconvenient first, but after time it will be great.”
However, two other shoppers had somewhat mixed feelings about the phase-out of plastic bags.
“There’s two streams of thought on it,” said shopper Barry Bartlett, from Truro. “One is the plastic is not good for the environment, the second is that it’s convenient for shoppers to have plastic bags.”
He packed his groceries into plastic bags, saying they cost roughly the same as the resuable ones Sobeys is rolling out.
Another shopper said she kept both reusable and plastic bags for groceries.
“I have reusable bags, but I like having plastic bags available if I stop in for something when I’m out walking,” said Lois MacLean. “I always reused the plastic bags, so they weren’t single use.”
“I don’t like paper bags. I remember using them years ago and they sometimes split open before I got home.”
Sobeys will offer paper bags at checkouts for 10 cents each, with proceeds going to support ‘One Tree Planted.’ They will continue to offer their 99 cent bags and will introduce a new 25-cent reusable bag.
The change will affect 255 locations across Canada and Sobeys says it will keep 225 million plastic bags out of circulation.
“I admire them taking such a huge step and really appreciate the many ways in which they're reminding and warning everyone, even the cashiers are giving personal reminders at the checkout,” said shopper Leana Todd. “I will admit I have no idea what I'll do on that first day I forget my bags. Hopefully, I'll have a big purse that day.”
Cynthia Thompson, spokeswoman for Sobeys’ communications and corporate affairs, said her company first announced the discontinuation of plastic bags last July. Since then, Sobeys has deliberately run down their supply as they prepare to phase out plastic bags.
“The manufactured supply (of bags) has been reduced as they are distributed,” said Thompson. “We don’t have excess bags left over.”
Thompson did not know what material will be used for the 25-cent reusable bags.
But Sobeys customers wishing to recycle old plastic bags can do so in designated bins located inside its stores.
Thompson said recycled bags have been used to make everything from picnic benches to carpark paving at the Sobeys in Timberlea, near Halifax.
Thompson said there is no confirmed date for Foodland to eliminate its own plastic bags. The chain is owned by Sobeys and operates stores in Tatamagouche, Bible Hill and Stewiacke.
With files from Fram Dinshaw
