Loblaws 5-cent bag charge starts tomorrow (Jan 12)

[jstaneon]

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/569002

Loblaws bags a nickel starting tomorrow
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Jan 11, 2009 04:30 AM
Comments on this story (130)
Robyn Doolittle
STAFF REPORTER

It's like there's a scarlet letter burned across Jennifer Sutcliffe's forehead as she hastily piles eight bags of groceries into the cart – "P." For plastic. For polluter.

"I have cats. I use them for the litter," she clarifies apologetically.

Not good enough. Gazing down the line of nine open cashiers, Sutcliffe is the only one who didn't BYOB. The 40-year-old retreats from the Loblaws store, which as of tomorrow will begin a plastic fee of 5 cents per bag.

A source said proceeds will go to the World Wildlife Fund.

Embarrassment aside, Sutcliffe says it's a good idea. Although not everyone agrees.

Imelda, who does not want her last name used, is annoyed by the added cost.

"It's not convenient. What, am I going to carry around my own boxes in the car all the time? Sometimes you're just driving by the grocery store and pop in," she said.

She had better get used to it. In December the city of Toronto passed a controversial decision to "tax" consumers a nickel a bag. This will take effect city-wide on June 1.

When Loblaws begins the fee, it will join No Frills and Food Basics, which already had already charged for plastic bags for years.

[Shaner]

I don't mind paying a nickel per bag, but like the lady in the article, I will continue to use bags because I have cats and need to clean their litter box somehow.

Find me some environmentally friendly, cheap method of cleaning the litter box and I will switch. In the meantime, I'll continue to use plastic bags, although I don't mind paying for them.

[selpats]

I shop at the RCSS about once a month (if that), I take my re-usable bags with me so this doesn't bother me at all. Hopefully it will get more people using recyclable bags. In a RCSS in Victoria, BC they don't even offer bags anymore, that's the ultimate solution!

[_Allan_]

I don't mind paying a nickel per bag, but like the lady in the article, I will continue to use bags because I have cats and need to clean their litter box somehow.

Find me some environmentally friendly, cheap method of cleaning the litter box and I will switch. In the meantime, I'll continue to use plastic bags, although I don't mind paying for them.

Here ya Go CatGenie ... I may get one for my aunt's cat ...

I think the Government of Canada should start a nation-wide "nickle tax" on ALL plastic bags. If you need plastic bags for cleaning up cat litter, there are small size garbage bags which are not much bigger (the ones for under the sink) and you pay about the same price for them.

[flito ray]

i think charging for bag is lame. nless you are going to no frill or food ba$ic$ where thing are cheap then i don't mind otherwise i think it's nickel and diming

[KorruptioN]

i think charging for bag is lame. nless you are going to no frill or food ba$ic$ where thing are cheap then i don't mind otherwise i think it's nickel and diming

If it's the only way to get people to reduce everyone's excessive usage of plastic, sure. Even if it's a little bit. I welcome this move, personally.

[Octavius]

Here ya Go CatGenie ... I may get one for my aunt's cat ...

I think the Government of Canada should start a nation-wide "nickle tax" on ALL plastic bags. If you need plastic bags for cleaning up cat litter, there are small size garbage bags which are not much bigger (the ones for under the sink) and you pay about the same price for them.

I think we as Canadians already pay too much tax.

Also, I am certain that the stores won't be reducing the prices of food as a result of no longer giving out free grocery bags, which means they'll be making more money as a result of this surcharge.

[Shaner]

Here ya Go CatGenie ... I may get one for my aunt's cat ...

I wonder if these really work as well as that site leads us to believe. I mean, why aren't these things in all the pet stores? I've never seen or heard of this thing before. Anyone ever try it?

I'm thinking about buying it.

[cmackie]

I usually do my shopping on the way home from work so I usually won't have the reusable bags with me. I'm fine handing over a few nickels if that's what it costs.

I use the plastic bags for garbage. If I didn't get them for my groceries, I'd end up buying more glad bags anyway.

I appreciate them giving the option, though. I hate that they don't give out plastic bags at the LCBO anymore. I would gladly pay a bit more instead of fumbling with awkward paper bags or boxes, especially since I don't have a car.

[edgedamage]

I wonder if these really work as well as that site leads us to believe. I mean, why aren't these things in all the pet stores? I've never seen or heard of this thing before. Anyone ever try it?

I'm thinking about buying it.

Looks cool but all cats carry litter grains on their paws. So after awhile you would need more, and that solution how long does it last before you need more?

[_Allan_]

I wonder if these really work as well as that site leads us to believe. I mean, why aren't these things in all the pet stores? I've never seen or heard of this thing before. Anyone ever try it?

I'm thinking about buying it.

According to whois.sc, the domain name was registered in 2005 ... I'd wager a guess that the product is fairly new (less then 6 years) and the first time I heard of it was last night on a TV commercial.

Looks cool but all cats carry litter grains on their paws. So after awhile you would need more, and that solution how long does it last before you need more?

Their website says the granduals should be changed every 60 or so days depending on your animal.
See their "Compare & Save" page

[molala]

I wonder if these really work as well as that site leads us to believe. I mean, why aren't these things in all the pet stores? I've never seen or heard of this thing before. Anyone ever try it?

I'm thinking about buying it.

Looks cool but all cats carry litter grains on their paws. So after awhile you would need more, and that solution how long does it last before you need more?

Cosco's website gives a more thorough description of the product:

http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product....se=&lang=en-CA

I'll be hesistant to it because the cost of the cartridges and granules refills could be expensive. In fact, I found the unit alone to be too expensive.Sounds like it's great for the convenience of the owner rather than helping the environment.

I'd rather buy those biodegradable bags at store to clean up the litter.

[Shaner]

I've read some reviews on this cat genie thing and they're pretty mixed. Some people have had great results and they love it, others have stated their cats refuse to use it. The plastic granules are nothing like regular litter and some cats just won't use that thing. Also, it will clean itself whether there's a cat in it or not, which will scare some cats away permanently. It's also very loud when cleaning itself, which will also scare some cats away from using it. My cats, for example, won't go near the vacuum cleaner even if it's off, because they know how loud it is.

If it works it's worth every penny, but if I buy it for $300 and my cats refuse to use it, that's a huge waste of money. I personally dont' believe money back guarantees, never have, never will. You usually have to fight with companies to get your money back.

[molala]

I've read some reviews on this cat genie thing and they're pretty mixed. Some people have had great results and they love it, others have stated their cats refuse to use it. The plastic granules are nothing like regular litter and some cats just won't use that thing. Also, it will clean itself whether there's a cat in it or not, which will scare some cats away permanently. It's also very loud when cleaning itself, which will also scare some cats away from using it. My cats, for example, won't go near the vacuum cleaner even if it's off, because they know how loud it is.

If it works it's worth every penny, but if I buy it for $300 and my cats refuse to use it, that's a huge waste of money. I personally dont' believe money back guarantees, never have, never will. You usually have to fight with companies to get your money back.

Costco has an excellent return policy. If you bought it and not happy with it, they'll gladly return it for you with no questions ask.

[Shaner]

Costco has an excellent return policy. If you bought it and not happy with it, they'll gladly return it for you with no questions ask.

I was wondering about this though. Are they really going to take something back that has feces and urine inside of it? They can't sell that thing again like they can with most returns.