HUMBOLDT — A grocery chain with a store in Humboldt said it will remove plastic grocery bags from all of its stores.
The bags will be removed by Sobeys’ 255 locations by the end of January 2020.
“So many of our customers and our employees have told us loud and clear – they want us to use less plastic – and we agree with them,” said Michael Medline, the president of Sobeys’ parent company, in a media release.
The change will take around 225 million plastic grocery bags out of circulation nationwide.
“We decided to act now instead of taking years to study and only make long-term commitments,” Medline said. “We’re taking action now, making a tangible difference today and into the future. This is a significant first step, but it’s only a first step. We need to go further, and we will.”
The company said it will introduce a line of reusable mesh produce bags made from recycled water bottles to provide customers with an alternative for their fresh produce this month. As well, the company is looking at other ideas to reduce the use of plastics in other areas.
