NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
Uwe Krichkahn, who has spent decade arguing for a local ban on disposable plastic bags, is applauding the announcement by Sobeys that it will be phasing out plastic bags at its stores by the end of January 2020.
jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel
A local advocate is giving thumbs up to Sobeys’ announcement that it will be phasing out plastic bags by the end of January 2020.
Uwe Krickhahn has asked city council four times since 2008 to consider a city-wide ban on plastic bags.
“I think it’s a positive step. People will get used to having a more permanent shopping bag made of sail cloth (canvas) or sturdy material which can be washed occasionally,” said Krickhahn.
He says he’s “quite sure” having a large company like Sobeys phase out plastic bags will influence others to follow suit.
“It’s just a question of time now,” Krickhahn said.
The federal Liberal government has floated the idea of banning single-use plastics by 2021.
“I believe that it won’t even take that long,” said Krickhahn.
Banning single-use plastics is one way humans can reduce waste, he said, adding that the threat of microplastics winding up in the drinking water is quite real.
In a news release, Sobeys says its ban “will take 225 million plastic grocery bags out of circulation at Sobeys’ 255 locations across Canada each year.”
After that, Sobeys will phase out the use of plastic bags at its subsidiaries – Foodland, Safeway, IGA and FreshCo – replacing them with paper bags.
During the phase-out, Sobeys will also aim to reduce plastics elsewhere in its stores.
To that effect, it will be partnering with student organization Enactus to solicit the input of young Canadians on how to encourage “behavioural change as it is related to avoidable plastic.”
CEO and president Michael Medline said the move was the result of customer feedback.
“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,” he said, adding that this is the first step of a “long-term commitment.”
