Shoppers transitions away from single-use plastic shopping bags

Shoppers Drug Mart will transition away from offering single-use plastic shopping bags across all its stores starting Jan. 31.

While the company is encouraging customers to bring their own bags to its stores, there will also be a variety of reusable alternatives available at checkout lanes.

"Our commitment to fight climate change by reducing our carbon footprint is an important part of our company's purpose," said Pat Dean, senior vice president, front store and category management, Shoppers Drug Mart, in a statement. "Cleaner communities make for healthier communities, and we're pleased to do our part to reduce the amount of single-use plastic entering our natural environment."

The Loblaw-owned pharmacy chain’s other environment, social and governance (ESG) goals include achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions; reducing plastic waste by making all of its control brand and in-store packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025; and, sending zero food waste to landfill by 2030.