LCBO is eliminating its iconic paper bags

The LCBO is eliminating paper bags and the CEO told the Toronto Star they expect the move to help save 190,000 trees a year.

The new bag policy follows changes made at Ontario grocery stores earlier this year, except this time it's paper being targeted and not plastic.  

Supermarkets like Loblaws, Farm Boy and Metro no longer provide plastic bags and instead force customers to bring their own or purchase a reusable bag.

The LCBO will be following suit, offering a reusable bag for purchase or an empty cardboard box for free if one is available.

The reaction to the news hasn't been unanimously positive so far.

NO! THIS IS BAD!

Paper bags are way more environmentally friendly than the "reusable" bags.

— Kelson 🚀 (@_K_E_L_S_O_N_) April 27, 2023

Some feel it's just a cost-cutting move.

It’s to save money. The environmental impacts are just a convenient benefit

— MissiResident (@ResidentMissi) April 27, 2023

Others worry it's going to lead to unanticipated problems.

but the bags are necessary legally as its illegal to be in public spaces with open liquor so to have it in the paper bag shows your not drinking it .

— Ryan Rantz (@muskokafinds) April 27, 2023

While some think it's a necessary change to save the environment.

God Save The Planet

— Daniel Chartrand (@DanielChartra20) April 27, 2023

The LCBO originally switched from plastic to paper bags 15 years ago and since then the paper bag has become a fixture on the streets and at house and dinner parties.

It's also been used for unconventional purposes.

Toronto man uses LCBO bag as face mask to shop at No Frills https://t.co/vM4eTc9xd2 #Toronto #LCBO #NoFrills #FaceMask #FaceMasks pic.twitter.com/Z2nUGlYBaX

— blogTO (@blogTO) July 10, 2020

It's expected to take at least a few months for the phase-out to occur, or the amount of time the LCBO says is required to use up its remaining stock.