BYOB at LCBO? No, that B isn’t for booze, but for Bags.
The liquor retailer is officially ditching the brown paper bags in its stores across Ontario.
LCBO customers are now encouraged to bring their own reusable bags when shopping in their stores. They will also have the option to purchase a reusable bag or buy one in store. Additionally, re-used cardboard boxes or eight pack carriers are also available at no cost.
The provincial alcohol retailer announced this move as part of its commitment to reducing its environmental impact and increasing its sustainability.
“This initiative will remove almost 135 million paper bags annually from LCBO retail stores and convenience outlets; diverting 2,665 tonnes of waste from landfill and saving the equivalent of more than 188,000 trees every year,” LCBO said in a statement Thursday.
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The crown corporation removed single-use plastic bags from its stores fifteen years ago, and now the removal of its single-use paper bags is its next step to minimizing its carbon footprint.
Just last year, Canada banned harmful single-use plastic bags in December.
“We know that our customers believe strongly in our initiatives to innovate on packaging and create less waste. We thank them for always driving us to do more to create a more sustainable Ontario and for their support through this transition,” LCBO President and CEO, George Soleas, said.
LCBO says the phaseout of its paper bags will take effect within the coming months.
