LCBO to Phase Out Plastic Bags this Summer
On a recent day trip to the scenic tourist haunt that is Elora, Ontario, (and being the wine enthusiast that I am) I popped into the LCBO to catch a glimpse of what their small town liquor store had on offer. But it wasn't the surprisingly diverse selection that they had in their Vintages corner that grabbed my attention. It was a simple, desktop computer printed sign at the checkout that did.
As of July 1st 2008, the Elora LCBO will no longer be using their super sturdy, glossy, signature plastic bags. Instead, paper will be used, and reusable cloth bags will also be sold for $1.00.
When I asked the staff if this move away from plastic bags was exclusive to the Elora store I was told that the move was an LCBO province-wide initiative. Apparently the premier Dalton McGuinty's suggestion to phase out plastic bags at the LCBO was taken to heart.
While many people are sure to be disappointed that they'll lose the best cat litter/heavy item carrier/wet garbage disposal bags known to Ontario, this is a step in the right direction.
If we could see more large-scale retailers do the same, the overall impact could be more than just a tip of the iceberg (pun intended).
Are those green plastic mesh collars that they use to keep bottles from clanging into one another going to be the next to go? Are they even worth replacing with paper collars, or would it be better to just stop using anything for this frivolous purpose?
Comments (22)
Are you serious?
Man, the LCBO has the absolute best plastic bags to offer by far anywhere around Ontario.
I honestly think that the LCBO plastic bags should stay, and if need be, at least an option to pay for one. What really needs to be banned are those cheap, thin, useless plastic bags offered from the super stores like Loblaws or Walmart, or Real Canadian. Those bags are what types the ban should be aimed at. Stupid government owned liquor store trying to set an example.
As well, shame on those of you who waste an LCBO bag by using it as a cat litter / wet garbage bag. These bags are of high durability, not some one time / toss em out cheap plastic bag. Use No Frills or Zellers bags for those purposes.
For people like me, who use the LCBO bags responsibly, for purposes including multiple and reusable uses, as a gym bag, clothes bag, shoe bag, grocery bag, drugdeal bag, book bag, lunch bag, a fashion accessory bag - it's gonna be a big loss to our drawers, our memories, and our badass images.
I guess it's time for us to stock up on these LCBO bags, because you can't get quality bags like this anywhere else. Just having the LCBO logo was a badge of honour. It will be missed.
I hope you're kidding Tito. I invite you to click on the posted URL and type "Sea of Plastics" into your favorite search engine. There you'll see the devastating effects plastics are having on our marine environment. In case you think it doesn't affect you therein the TO, your waterways and storm drains are, too, likely clogged up with plastic bags the removal of which, if they are ever removed, costs money to the taxpayers.
Paper bags?
Years ago the LCBO sold the idea that plastic was sturdier that paper. Bet they'll be lots of broken (full) bottles.
If the LCBO wants to sell me a cloth bag, they should reconsider and give them free. At least the 'badge of honour' logo would be on it.
When the government of the day goes 'politically correct', that's when they make serious errors in judgement.
I've personally reused their heavy-duty plastic bags for 1 or 2 bottles. Paper?... In the rain?...
Kudos to the LCBO. I have been using their 4-bottle canvas bag for about a year and it's the BEST bag for carrying multiple bottles of wine/liquor. It's sturdy, and the bottles don't hit each other. I agree with Ryan about giving them out for free - if there's no value placed on it, you aren't going to care about where it ends up. I think I paid about 8 dollars for the canvas bag and it's worth every penny. Another option the lcbo could offer is bio-degradeable, compostable bags. (mountain equipment co-op uses these) Made of corn starch, they break down into compost within 2 years - as opposed to the 1000 or so for conventional plastic bags.
Now, if we could just get the LCBO to modernize its site selection criteria and start opening new stores that you can easily walk to, we'd have something to celebrate.
At present, they won't open new stores unless there's a parking lot for customers and trucks. That's why you only see 'em built in power centres and malls nowadays, and not in flourishing neighbourhoods.
Kinda funny that a provincially-owned purveyor of booze wants you to DRIVE to pick up your firewater, no?
Well, as long as they provide paper bags that allow the same functionality as the plastic ones, personally, I'm fine with it. The plastic bags do have the durability thing going for them as well as the ability to carry the contents with just one hand. It's no good if you have to carry heavy & unwieldy contents with a single flimsy paper bag that can only be supported by both hands.
Yeah, selling reusable cloth bags is fine and dandy, but I don't know how many times I've been on way home and stopped by the LCBO out of convenience and, oops, not been carrying around reusable bags.
"They should also make the shipping boxes available for those buying in bulk."
I always see people carting out boxes. Just ask the staff - if there aren't boxes near the cash, they'll get you a box.
1) The LCBO should be accepting bottle returns, before getting rid of the plastic bags.
2) I like the man-bag, LCBO plastic bags. I reuse them to carry my books, umbrella, or lunch; as well as return the empties. I won't be able to reuse the paper bags, I would just throw them out.
People also don't realize that paper bags are worse for the environment than the average plastic bag. Now, of course the LCBO doesn't use average plastic bags, but I somehow doubt they'll be using average paper ones either after the switch.
As Jerrold says, most LCBOs (my local at Coxwell/O'Connor for instance) have boxes in plain view and I doubt the others would refuse a request for one.
I couldn't care less. I don't use that crap poison ALCOHOL the gov't sells you, to keep the cops employed, cleaning up.
I think getting rid of the plastic bags all together isn't a good idea. I think maybe charging 50 cents for them might be a good alternative. This money could then be used to offset the environmental effects of these bags. I say this only because I take the TTC, and during the winter or when it rains the ground is usually wet. I put my backpack on my lap, and my groceries or whatever else on the ground. When you go to lift the paper bag, it breaks, and there goes your booze or food rolling around the ground. I think charging 50 cents or more would ensure that these bags would only be used when they have to be and not when it is convenient. Although I support the LCBO's decision, I think they shouldn't disappear entirely.
"This money could then be used to offset the environmental effects of these bags."
... yeah right, right it to somebody's deep pockets.
As for the LCBO with parking lots. That was thought up by the politically correct bozos. Think about people that have no cars and (in my case) walk six blocks to and from the LCBO. I'm sure I'm not the only one that walks. Carry a paper bag full of bottles and after a while it gets heavy. Bottom line, I WILL PURCHASE LESS in the future!
I've used the same line to the grocery stores. Give me your reusable cloth bags free and I'll shop at your store more often. They don't and I won't.
Back to the LCBO. Again, another government mess-up. Empties to the beer store? Good for the environment? I've asked neighbours why their blue boxes are full from LCBO products. Their answer? Not worth the hassle. I understand that, however they lose out from their returns and the deposits go in deep government pockets...
As a cyclist, LCBO bags have always proven to be the most bike-friendly shopping bags out there. They easily withstand all sorts of bumps in the road.
Paper bags? One small bump, and whatever you're carrying goes out the bottom. (Plus, I don't always have a durable bag with me when I'm out.)
"Yeah, selling reusable cloth bags is fine and dandy, but I don't know how many times I've been on way home and stopped by the LCBO out of convenience and, oops, not been carrying around reusable bags."
I suppose it's better to use a reuseable bag half the time than none at all. I forget sometimes and do re-use my plastic bags for other things. However, once you make it a habit or make it easy for someone to do something it becomes second nature. I carry 2 Reisenthel - Mini Maxi Shopper bags in my backpack or purse at all times now. They colapse so small that you can even attach it to your keychain. (they do come in solid colours, so guys, don't fret. My husband has one in his backpack as well) I think the point is that some day soon, we are going to have to give up convenience and start being more conscious of how we are consuming.
If only they would phase out the LCBO. Heck, they could even start with the foreign owned Beer Store.
It would show the people of Ontario something that most of the world already knows. Having alcohol available at your local grocery store doesn't mean an end to civilization.
$1.345 Billion in profit not including taxes generated for the Government of Ontario by the LCBO in 2007.
Eliminating the plastic bag will lead to $1.6 million in savings for the LCBO.
"We believe our customers are ready to make the switch," to reusable bags, LCBO vice-president Roy Ecker said.
That's a lot of bull crap and he knows it. He's just a politically correct puppet.
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