Walmart Canada to eliminate single-use plastic bags

Walmart Canada has announced its plans to eliminate single-use plastic shopping bags by Earth Day 2022.

The big-box retailer says the changes will apply to in-store purchases as well as online grocery pickup and delivery orders, and will be implemented at Walmart’s more than 400 locations across Canada by April 22.

The national roll-out follows a 10-store pilot that began in August 2021, which Walmart Canada says diverted nearly six million plastic bags.

“Eliminating plastic shopping bags is a significant milestone on our journey to becoming a regenerative company – and it’s the right thing to do,” said Horacio Barbeito, president and CEO, Walmart Canada, in a press release.

“We know this is important for our associates and our customers. I’m so proud of our team for taking this step, the most recent in a series of significant changes to ensure we’re doing right by our associates, customers and the planet and leading the way when it comes to regenerative practices,” Barbeito said. 

Ahead of the change, Walmart Canada will run an education campaign to help customers with the transition. Customers can bring their own bags to use at checkout or they can purchase a reusable bag in store. 

Eliminating single-use plastic shopping bags is part of a larger fight in Walmart Canada’s war against plastic. The retailer has already eliminated single-use plastic straws and plastic wrap from organic banana bunches and single peppers, among other efforts.