B.C. grocery chain bringing back plastic bags

Reversing a 2009 decision to stop offering single-use plastic carryout bags at its 26 stores, British Columbia grocery chain Thrifty Foods has now rolled out a pilot project to bring them back.

The project will be in effect in three mainland B.C. stores, in Abbotsford, Coquitlam and North Vancouver.

As reported in the Vancouver Sun, the move was made to acknowledge those customers who still prefer the convenience of disposable bags. Some customers have complained of ripping and leaking problems with the free paper bags that were brought in two years ago to replace plastic.

Thrifty Foods discontinued carrying plastic grocery bags in July 2009. “We think eliminating plastic grocery bags is the right thing to do and we are confident our customers will understand and accept this as a positive step in the right direction,” then-president and CEO Milford Sorensen said at the time.

The new pilot project will last until the end of October, after which Thrifty Foods will consider its next step, the Sun said.