Latest in a long-line of announcements related
to Loblaw's efforts to fight climate change
BRAMPTON, ON, June 20,
2022 /CNW/ - Today, Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX: L)
("Loblaw") announced plans to eliminate all single-use plastic
shopping bags from its corporate and franchise grocery stores,
pharmacies, and PC Express service across the country, to be
completed by the end of the first quarter of 2023. This move
completes a 15-year journey, which commenced with the company being
one of the first major retailers in Canada to implement a pay-for-bag program to
help reduce plastic waste.
"As a purpose-led organization, committed to helping Canadians
live life well, we are proud to be taking a significant step on
such an important environmental issue," said Robert Sawyer, Chief Operating Officer, Loblaw
Companies Limited. "Since 2007, our efforts to reduce the
number of single-use plastic shopping bags leaving our stores has
led to 13.8 billion fewer bags potentially going into
landfill."
Loblaw customers have already rallied around the reusable bag
approach. The adoption of a plastic bag fee led to a 70%
decline in the use of plastic bags in its stores, and shoppers have
turned to the iconic PC reusable bag and plastic bins as
sustainable alternatives. As single-use plastic shopping bags
are phased out systematically, province by province, customers will
be supported with a variety of reusable alternatives as well as
ongoing communications to raise awareness of the options
available.
This is the latest in a long line of announcements related to
Loblaw's environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts.
Notably, to help fight climate change, Loblaw will achieve the
following: net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 for Scope 1
and 2, and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for Scope 3;
reduce plastic waste by making all of its control brand and
in-store packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025; send zero food
waste to landfill by 2030; and more. The full scope of the
Company's ESG commitments can be found in its 2021 ESG
Report.
About Loblaw Companies
Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, as well as
its largest retailer and private sector employer. With
approximately two billion transactions each year in its unmatched
network of 2,500 stores and national e-commerce options, Loblaw
brings food, pharmacy, beauty, apparel and financial services to
customers through many of Canada's
favourite and most-trusted brands: President's Choice, No Name,
Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore,
T&T, Joe Fresh, PC Express and PC Financial. The company's
loyalty program, PC Optimum, has more than 18 million members and
is one of Canada's largest, and
most loved reward programs.
Loblaw's purpose is to help Canadians live life well. It makes
good food affordable, health, beauty and wellness accessible,
saving for the future possible, and essential style achievable.
SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited