Loblaw scraps single-use plastic bags in Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Saskatchewan

Loblaw is eliminating single-use plastic shopping bags across the Northwest Territories, Manitoba and Saskatchewan starting today (Nov. 1).

That includes No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Extra Foods, Wholesale Club, Glen’s Independent Grocer, Rochdi’s Independent Grocer and Your Independent Grocer banners. 

Customers are encouraged to bring their own bags to their local stores, but there will also be a variety of reusable alternatives available at checkout lanes, the company 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,” said Robert Sawyer, chief operating officer, Loblaw Companies Limited. “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 province and beyond.”

As part of its mission to lower its overall environmental footprint, Loblaw has committed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

It has also vowed to send zero food waste to landfill by 2030 and reduce plastic waste by making all of its control brand and in-store packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.