Canadian Grocer Introduces Reusable Produce Bags

The Canadian grocery store Metro Inc. announced that it will be the first grocery store chain in Canada to offer reusable produce bags in all of its 484 stores across Quebec and Ontario. The move will go toward eliminating the chain’s use of plastic grocery bags.

The new bags will arrive in the stores by the end of November, and will be available as an alternative to the plastic bags currently found in the produce section.

"Metro remains committed to initiating measures that positively impact the environment, and we feel this reusable bag is one more step in the right direction," says Johanne Choinière, senior VP, Metro Ontario Inc. "Reusable produce bags are yet another initiative by Metro Inc. to reduce plastic bags at the source and address a request by Metro customers who, in a recent survey, expressed concern about the over packaging of fruits and vegetables."
"This next step taken by Metro to offer their shoppers alternatives that reduce in-store packaging is very important," says Jo-Anne St. Godard, executive director of the Recycling Council of Ontario. "These simple solutions demonstrate how everyday lifestyle changes become impactful environmental solutions. We congratulate Metro in furthering its commitment to reducing waste."

The survey performed by Metro also revealed that 77 percent of customers are making efforts to limit their use of plastic bags when buying fruits and vegetables, while 76 percent said they would be interested in buying reusable produce bags. According to the same survey, 87 percent of customers prefer to buy individual fruits and vegetables instead of pre-packaged ones.