Bring Your Own Bag To The LCBO

    McGuinty Government Supports LCBO Phase-Out Of Plastic Bags

    TORONTO, May 27 /CNW/ -

    NEWS

    The LCBO is phasing out its plastic shopping bags as part of its ongoing
efforts to become a greener organization.
    Existing supplies of plastic bags will run out this summer. The switch to
more environmentally friendly alternatives is expected to eliminate
approximately 80 million plastic bags a year from landfill.
    LCBO customers are being encouraged to bring their own reusable bags.
Customers who forget to bring their own bags can:-  request LCBO paper bags or cardboard boxes
        -  purchase inexpensive LCBO reusable bags that hold four or six
           containersLater this summer, the LCBO will be offering a new, reusable bag,
suitable for larger items such as six-packs of beer. This new bag will sell
for $0.95.

    QUOTES

    "The LCBO knows its customers want to reduce their impact on the
environment'," said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal
and minister responsible for the LCBO. "Encouraging reuse and reduction of
bags is LCBO's latest way to respond to consumer values while showing its
continued commitment to social responsibility and a greener Ontario."
    "Congratulations to the LCBO for its environmental leadership," said John
Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment. "Reducing the number of plastic bags
that are produced and the number that end up in landfills is a priority for
our government. I'm delighted that LCBO is taking this step."
    "Our customers want to help the environment," said LCBO President and CEO
Bob Peter. "We're going to make it as easy as possible for them to make a
positive difference by encouraging them to bring reusable bags when they shop
at the LCBO. We are asking our customers to join with us to make bringing a
reusable bag the first choice."
    "Congratulations to the LCBO for taking this initiative," said Jo-Anne
St. Godard, Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Ontario.
"Eliminating plastic shopping bags demonstrates LCBO's commitment to
preserving resources and reducing waste".
    "Having worked with retailers on progressing environmental challenges for
a decade, we know this commitment is a major step for LCBO and its customers,"
said Ersilia Serafini, Executive Director, Clean Air Foundation. "This kind of
leadership will inspire others to look more closely at the issue and LCBO
should be congratulated for paving the way."

    QUICK FACTS-   Plastic bags can be returned to The Beer Store for recycling as part
        of the "Bag It Back" program.
    -   Over the past six months, the LCBO has reduced its use of plastic in-
        store by more than 30 per cent.
    -   Shopping with a reusable bag is the most environmentally-friendly
        option.

    LEARN MORE

    Find out how Bag it back
(http://www.bagitback.ca/bagitback/en/residential/overview.shtml) is helping
to green Ontario.
    Learn about other LCBO environmental initiatives
(http://www.lcbo.com/socialresponsibility/environmental_commitment.shtml).
    Learn more about what Ontario is doing to Go Green
(http://www.gogreenontario.ca/home.php).

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For further information: Amy Tang, Minister's Office, [phone],
Anne Dunderdale, Media Relations Co-ordinator, [phone], Ministry of
Public Infrastructure Renewal; John Karapita, Minister's Office, (416)
314-6736, John Steele, [phone], Ministry of the Environment; Chris
Layton, Media Relations Co-ordinator, [phone], LCBO