Lowe’s Canada reports a 58% drop in plastic bag use
by Cleantech Canada Staff
Lowe's Canada will also introduce a new reusable bag at its stores in the fall
BOUCHERVILLE, QC – Lowe’s Canada reports that the introduction of a charge on plastic bags at its corporate stores in Quebec in June 2018, and in the rest of Canada in August of the same year, has had a significant impact on the number of plastic bags used in its network.
In 2019, the customers of its Lowe’s, RONA, and Reno-Depot corporate stores used 58% fewer plastic bags than in 2017, which represents about 10 million bags. In 2018, the introduction of the charge midyear resulted in over 5 million fewer plastic bags being used in Lowe’s Canada’s corporate stores versus the previous year.
“At Lowe’s Canada, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint, which includes decreasing the amount of waste from our operations going to landfills,” said Jean-Sébastien Lamoureux, senior vice-president, public affairs, asset protection and sustainable development at Lowe’s Canada, in a prepared statement. “Two years after implementing these measures, we are proud to report that charging for plastic bags and spreading awareness across our stores has helped change our customers’ shopping habits.”
All profits from plastic-bag charges are donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Between June 2018 and December 2019, these profits amounted to more than $125,000.
In addition, Lowe’s Canada also announced the company will introduce a new reusable bag at its stores in the fall. Profits from the sales of this new bag will also be given to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
