Researchers are confident the nickel-per-bag fee will "divert 1 billion plastic shopping bags from landfills in 2009..."
The grocer's assert "the primary barrier to using reusable bags is remembering to bring them into the store," which just goes to show how handy ChicoBags are for adopting a consistent reusable bag habit. Take it from me, it's just easier to BYOB when you can clip ChicoBags on your belt loop or put them in your pocket.
The stores are even posting remember your bag signs, outside and in... They also have "special teams of 'Green Greeters' to help remind customers to bring their reusable 'Bring it' options."
BRAMPTON, ON - On the eve of Loblaw Companies Limited's Toronto launch of its "Together We Can Help the Environment" campaign aimed at reducing plastic shopping bag use, Loblaw encourages Torontonians to take action on protecting the environment by remembering to bring reusable bags or boxes when they go grocery shopping. Starting Monday, January 12, 2009, Loblaw corporate and participating franchise stores in the City of Toronto will no longer provide complimentary plastic shopping bags at check-out and charge $0.05 per plastic shopping bag, when they are requested by customers. Toronto is the lead city for the campaign, which will roll out nationally on April 22, 2009, Earth Day.
Research conducted for Loblaw by Leger Marketing in December 2008 revealed that four in five Torontonians (84%) support Loblaw's plan to divert 1 billion plastic shopping bags from landfills in 2009 by implementing a pay for plastic shopping bag program.
"From our historic opening of five bagless stores over the past 18 months... to the positive reaction to our plan to divert 1 billion plastic bags from landfills by the end of this year, we have had consistent feedback from Canadians about their support of our environmental initiatives," says Inge van den Berg, Vice President, Public Affairs & Investor Relations, Loblaw Companies Limited. "The survey results reinforce that Torontonians are looking for ways to take action to protect the environment and that the Loblaw initiative is another step in the right direction to help reduce waste."
Loblaw research indicates that the primary barrier to using reusable bags is remembering to bring them into the store. Starting tomorrow, customers shopping at City of Toronto Loblaw stores will notice new "Bring it" external and in-store reminder signage, information cards and, over the coming weekends, special teams of "Green Greeters" to help remind customers to bring their reusable "Bring it" options.
For those shoppers who require plastic bags, Loblaw has also invested in a larger and heavier gauge plastic shopping bag made with plastic waste material recovered from the manufacturing process. The thicker, larger bag makes it stronger allowing for repeat use and more items per bag. Some customers may notice minor adjustments to cashier stations in order to better support reusable bags.
Partial proceeds from the charge on plastic shopping bags from Loblaw corporate stores will be donated to WWF-Canada to support environmental programs. Details will be announced on April 22, 2009, Earth Day, in concert with the national roll out of Loblaw's reduction of plastic shopping bag program.
"We applaud Loblaw for taking a leadership position in reducing plastic shopping bag consumption and promoting more sustainable alternatives. We encourage everyone to go plastic bag free and look forward to working with Loblaw to encourage Canadians to take actions that lower their impact on the environment," said Gerald Butts, President and CEO, WWF-Canada.
Read the full article here.
The notification is silent on the earlier rider that bags with thickness of 40 microns and more will be allowed. Since it's difficult to measure the thickness on the spot, the government wants to discourage the use of bags completely and hence the complete ban.
