Third Canadian bagless location continues leadership in green retailing
MONTREAL, Feb. 11 /CNW Telbec/ - As part of its ongoing efforts to
protect the environment, the Maxi & Co store located in the city of Sherbrooke
becomes Loblaw Companies Limited first grocery and general merchandise store
in Quebec to eliminate traditional plastic bags at the checkouts. This
location is the 3rd Loblaw banner store to go bagless following Milton, ON and
Langford, BC.
In April 2007, Loblaw Companies Limited made a commitment to reduce
1 billion plastic grocery bags from Canada's landfills within one year.
Reducing the amount of plastic grocery bags offered in stores, and offering
more sustainable choices, will help achieve this goal. Currently, Canadians
use about 10 billion plastic bags per year.
"As the largest grocery retailer in Quebec and Canada, we have a duty to
help reduce the quantity of waste in our communities", stated Galen G. Weston,
Executive Chairman, Loblaw Companies Limited. "Customers of Maxi & Co in
Sherbrooke are responding well to the reusable bag and box proposal. In fact,
the Sherbrooke area has the highest level of bag reuse within the Quebec
network. This helped persuade us to operate this store free from traditional
plastic bags distributed at the checkouts and to work with our customers to
make a positive step towards a greener environment."
Leading the Way in Green Initiatives
This measure implemented today in the Sherbrooke Maxi & Co. follows a
wide-ranging communications plan that was put into operation to encourage
customers to reuse bags and boxes. With the launch of the PC(C) Green(TM)
reusable bag - the company's new reusable shopping bag - customers will be
encouraged to shop with reusable bags. Additionally, customers can also use
PC(C) Green(TM) boxes, which have been designed to be inserted into store
grocery carts and replace the equivalent of 3 to 5 traditional grocery bags!
"With this bold decision to totally eliminate the use of plastic bags in
this establishment -a first in Quebec - Provigo recognizes our city's place on
the cutting edge of sustainable development. I am truly proud. Your initiative
shows the willingness of Sherbrookers to change their habits in order to pass
on to future generations a quality environment" stated Jean Perreault, Mayor
of Sherbrooke.
About Provigo Inc.
Provigo Inc., part of Loblaw Companies Limited, is committed to
developing effective products that help ease the burden on our planet and
preserve our natural resources. The President's Choice(R) Green line of
eco-friendly products and "Canada's greenest reusable shopping bag(R)" are
available nationwide anywhere President's Choice(R) products are sold. Provigo
Inc. with its Loblaws, Maxi & Co, Maxi, Provigo, L'intermarché, Axep, Presto
and Club Entrepôt Provigo banners, is the largest food retailer in Quebec. The
company and its franchised and affiliated merchants provide employment for
almost 30,000 people in Quebec.
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's largest food distributor and a
leading provider of general merchandise, drugstore and financial products and
services. Through its various operating banners, Loblaw is committed to
providing Canadians with a one-stop destination in meeting their food and
everyday household needs. This goal is pursued through a portfolio of store
formats across the country. It also offers one of Canada's strongest control
label programs, including the unique President's Choice(R) and no name(R)
brands. Loblaw is one of the largest private-sector employers in Canada,
employing over 139,000 full-time and part-time employees.
For further information: Josée Bédard, Senior Manager, Corporate
Affairs, Provigo, part of Loblaw Companies Limited, (514) 383-8800 ext. 6142