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

[Raggie]

The quality of No Frills plastic bags are really good and can hold alot.

I hope Loblaws will redesign their bags to the same quality as No Frills, since they'll be charging for them.

[Shaner]

The quality of No Frills plastic bags are really good and can hold alot.

I hope Loblaws will redesign their bags to the same quality as No Frills, since they'll be charging for them.

The 5c that you pay No Frills goes to pay for the higher quality bags. The 5c that pay to Loblaws will go to the WWF, not to paying for higher quality bags. So I wouldn't count on Loblaws getting the same bags that No Frills does, it's just not going to happen.

[BD006]

I'll continue to use my re-useable bags, so this makes no difference to me.

I never pay for bags at No Frills or Food Basics, and won't at Loblaws either.

And if my family does need bags for garbage, etc, we know we can always get them from Chinese grocery stores.

[bolmsted]

I agree with this in principal. Is this ban just for grocery stores or all retailers like department stores, big box electronics stores, etc? The bags from Loblaws are far too small and the ones at CTC or Sobeys hold far much more.

What are we going to use for green bins, etc when this goes into effect and run out of bags? The city has no problem with using these bags to put the green bin waste into them so why not just allow this instead of totally banning them.

There are 3 Rs after all.... reduce, reuse and recycle. They are focusing on reduce and recycle but what about reuse and the practicality of people picking stuff up on the way home, etc

What's next garbage bags? How are we going to through out garbage/ I am using the store bags for this as I already put out far less waste that it will only typically fit in one of these bags every 2 weeks rather than wasting garbage bags and if you don't throw out your garbage you loose your 'room' to throw out every 2 weeks thanks to the BINS. So in fact they are promoting more plastic bag waste if you have to use a garbage bag every 2 weeks.

[Jon Lai]

I agree with this in principal. Is this ban just for grocery stores or all retailers like department stores, big box electronics stores, etc? The bags from Loblaws are far too small and the ones at CTC or Sobeys hold far much more.

What are we going to use for green bins, etc when this goes into effect and run out of bags? The city has no problem with using these bags to put the green bin waste into them so why not just allow this instead of totally banning them.

There are 3 Rs after all.... reduce, reuse and recycle. They are focusing on reduce and recycle but what about reuse and the practicality of people picking stuff up on the way home, etc

What's next garbage bags? How are we going to through out garbage/ I am using the store bags for this as I already put out far less waste that it will only typically fit in one of these bags every 2 weeks rather than wasting garbage bags and if you don't throw out your garbage you loose your 'room' to throw out every 2 weeks thanks to the BINS. So in fact they are promoting more plastic bag waste if you have to use a garbage bag every 2 weeks.

Notice how reduce goes before reuse and recycle. It means if possible, reduce. Then, reuse. And finally if the previous two cannot be done, then recycle. Reduce > Reuse > Recycle.

Your logic of reusing bags for green bins is correct, but the amount of bags any family uses is still overly excessive of what is required by the green bins. Many people THROW OUT plastic bags, hence this initiative.

Also, garbage bags that you buy are more or less biodegradable, while plastic bags are not.

[Jon Lai]

The 5c that you pay No Frills goes to pay for the higher quality bags. The 5c that pay to Loblaws will go to the WWF, not to paying for higher quality bags. So I wouldn't count on Loblaws getting the same bags that No Frills does, it's just not going to happen.

I'd rather the money go to a charity organization. At least it'll be helping the enviornment. If the money is to pay for the higher quality bags, well the effect on the enviornment is a lot less.

[cheapmeister]

I recycle the plastic bags into garbage bags. I will now either buy glad bags or buy the grocery bags.

[CSK'sMom]

I agree with this in principal. Is this ban just for grocery stores or all retailers like department stores, big box electronics stores, etc? The bags from Loblaws are far too small and the ones at CTC or Sobeys hold far much more.

What are we going to use for green bins, etc when this goes into effect and run out of bags? The city has no problem with using these bags to put the green bin waste into them so why not just allow this instead of totally banning them.

There are 3 Rs after all.... reduce, reuse and recycle. They are focusing on reduce and recycle but what about reuse and the practicality of people picking stuff up on the way home, etc

What's next garbage bags? How are we going to through out garbage/ I am using the store bags for this as I already put out far less waste that it will only typically fit in one of these bags every 2 weeks rather than wasting garbage bags and if you don't throw out your garbage you loose your 'room' to throw out every 2 weeks thanks to the BINS. So in fact they are promoting more plastic bag waste if you have to use a garbage bag every 2 weeks.

Most municipality green bin programs probably already have plans or have, in the case of Niagara, ban all plastic bags from the green bin programs. It's never made any sense, at least to those who really understand and appreciate composting, that they were ever allowed in the green bins anyway. If every piece of plastic isn't removed before the composting process if makes for junk at the end that is just loaded with ground plastics. I can honestly say that there has never been any plastic bags of any sort in our green bins. Yes bins, we ( a family of 5) routinely fill a minimum of 2 per week, some weeks all 4 that we have.

[selpats]

Notice how reduce goes before reuse and recycle. It means if possible, reduce. Then, reuse. And finally if the previous two cannot be done, then recycle. Reduce > Reuse > Recycle.

Your logic of reusing bags for green bins is correct, but the amount of bags any family uses is still overly excessive of what is required by the green bins. Many people THROW OUT plastic bags, hence this initiative.

Also, garbage bags that you buy are more or less biodegradable, while plastic bags are not.

Really? I do the majority of my grocery shopping at Thrify Foods and Planet Organic. Both of these stores use 100% biodegradable 'plastic bags'.

Please explain how "garbage bags that you buy are more or less biodegradable", I am really interested how you have come to this conclusion.

[kcirtap78]

i don't know if this is mention already... But here in quebec. Super C. actually gives you 5cents for each reusable bag you bring with you when you shop ... Those reusable bags pay for themselves quickly this way

[_Allan_]

Anyone remember the Loblaw Presidents Choice G.R.E.E.N. box that started in 1992?
You basically bought a number of the bins (they look like the standard carry baskets), and you'd put them in the redesigned shopping cart (each would hold 2, 4 or 6 bins) and you were supposed to store them in your car trunk..

[Raggie]

The 5c that you pay No Frills goes to pay for the higher quality bags. The 5c that pay to Loblaws will go to the WWF, not to paying for higher quality bags. So I wouldn't count on Loblaws getting the same bags that No Frills does, it's just not going to happen.

Regardless where the 5c goes, No Frills shoppers are still helping the environment by either re-using the bags or recycling the stores boxes.

[kikiTO]

I have been pleased to see stores charging for bags (I generally hit the No Frills in my area), and it has actually encouraged me to keep at least one reusable bag in my purse/car at all times. I currently have a drawer full of plastic bags in my kitchen, which I will be dropping off at my local off leash dog park this week as I have no use for them. Hopefully the charge will encourage everyone to reduce waste, and in the event you do have to run into the store for one or two items, I suggest opting for no bag if possible, but if necessary, the 5 cent charge is not excessive. Plus if it is benefiting charity, you can feel better for doing your part.

[CSK'sMom]

Anyone remember the Loblaw Presidents Choice G.R.E.E.N. box that started in 1992?
You basically bought a number of the bins (they look like the standard carry baskets), and you'd put them in the redesigned shopping cart (each would hold 2, 4 or 6 bins) and you were supposed to store them in your car trunk..

Yep! We have 6 or 8 of them that we use all the time. When not for groceries, they make great laundry baskets.

[BJC]

http://www.superstore.ca/ontario/ChargeForBags.aspx