Sobeys. (Supplied by The Canadian Press)

By David Opinko

Sobeys no longer offering plastic bags as of February 1, Safeway will join later in 2020

Jan 30, 2020 | 11:17 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – CORRECTION: This article originally stated that both Sobeys and Safeway would no longer have plastic bags as of February 1, but a PR representative for the company informed LNN that it is only Sobeys at this time. Safeway and Empire’s other brands will join the bag ban at a later date in 2020.

Starting this weekend, plastic bags will be a thing of the past at Sobeys grocery stores across Canada.

The company announced last summer that Friday, January 31, 2020, is the last day they will be keeping single-use plastic bags in stock.

“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 and CEO of the parent company Empire back in July. “This is a first step, and we plan to make meaningful progress every year to take plastic out of our stores and our products.”

“We decided to act now instead of taking years to study and only make long-term commitments. 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,” adds Medline.

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The bag ban is expected to keep as many as 225-million grocery bags out of circulation every year.

You will still be able to purchase reusable bags at the store and you will be welcomed to bring your own.

Under the Empire umbrella, there are more than 1,500 locations for Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy, and Lawton’s Drug Stores in Canada, all of which will be going bag-free by the end of this year.

In Lethbridge, there are two Safeway stores and one Sobeys.

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