BYOB takes on new meaning at the LCBO

Picking up a bottle of wine on your way home? You’ll soon be carting it without the help of a plastic bag. The LCBO is phasing out plastic shopping bags as part of its ongoing efforts to go green. The switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives is expected to eliminate approximately 80 million plastic bags a year from landfills.

“Our customers want to help the environment,” said LCBO president and CEO Bob Peter. “We’re going to make it as easy as possible for them to make a positive difference by encouraging them to bring reusable bags when they shop at the LCBO.” Customers who forget to bring a bag can choose from a range of inexpensive reusable LCBO bags or take a free paper bag or cardboard box.

“Congratulations to the LCBO for its environmental leadership,” said John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment. “Reducing the number of plastic bags that are produced and the number that end up in landfills is a priority for our government. I’m delighted that LCBO is taking this step.”

Plastic bags can be returned to the Beer Store for recycling as part of the “Bag It Back” program. The LCBO was one of the first major Ontario retailers to offer reusable shopping bags to customers and has reduced its use of plastic in-store by more than 30 percent over the past six months.

Existing supplies of plastic bags are expected run out this summer.