Retailer Metro Inc. has announced it is taking another step towards eliminating plastic bags from its stores by becoming the first Canadian grocery chain to offer reusable produce bags in all of its 484 stores across Quebec (Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Marché Richelieu) and Ontario (Metro).??Arriving in stores by the end of November, the reusable mesh bags will be available as an alternative to the rolls of plastic bags currently found throughout the produce section, according to a press release from Metro.
Made from see-through material, the company said the bags allow cashiers to quickly identify the contents of the bag at the till and for consumers to do the same when they bring their purchase home. Each set of four bags will be sold for C$4.99.??“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,” explained Johanne Choinière, senior vice-president, 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,” added 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 per cent of customers are making efforts to limit their use of plastic bags when buying fruits and vegetables, while 76 per cent said they would be interested in buying reusable produce bags.
According to the same survey, 87 per cent of customers prefer to buy individual fruits and vegetables instead of pre-packaged ones.?
