The Company also creates Green Apple School Program
in time for back-to-school season
Montreal, May 31, 2009 – Beginning June 1, all
Metro stores across Ontario and Quebec (Metro, Metro Plus, Super C
and Marché Richelieu) will begin charging five cents for each
plastic and paper shopping bag distributed to consumers. This new
environmentally friendly measure will help the company reach its
goal of reducing the use of these bags in its stores by 50 per cent
by the end of 2010. The initiative is strongly supported by the
Fondation québécoise en environnement, which has been promoting
this approach for two years, now that a compromise is available
with reusable shopping bags widely distributed and available in
Canada. The foundation says many other businesses will follow
Metro’s example in the short and medium terms.
A CROP-La Presse survey conducted in the spring of 2008 also
confirms Metro’s position that 70% of the Quebec public favours
charging for shopping bags.
In addition, in time for the return to school next fall, Metro is
creating the Green Apple School Program to encourage students in
Ontario and Quebec to develop projects to promote a healthier
environment.
“The Green Apple School Program is aimed at helping schools take
concrete action for the environment and community wellness,” says
Marie-Claude Bacon, Director of Corporate Affairs for Metro Inc.
“We will be making $2 million available to elementary and secondary
schools in Ontario and Quebec – $1 million in each province.
Projects can be submitted beginning September 2009.
“Our customers tell us in surveys that the charge of five cents per
bag is one of the most effective ways to reduce the use of
single-use bags in favour of reusable bags,” Ms. Bacon continues.
“Our research also shows that forgetfulness is the main obstacle
for consumers where single-use bags are concerned, and that an
incentive, such as the five-cent charge, will have tangible,
positive effects in the medium term.”
ENVIRONMENTAL INVOLVEMENT
The sale of bags and the creation of the Green Apple
School Program are the latest of many environmental initiatives
undertaken by Metro, including the 2006 launch of the first
reusable shopping bags, which now are used by 20 per cent of its
customers. Metro addressed air pollution by setting speed limits
for all its delivery vehicles in 2006 and developed “Leave it
Greener “, an employee communications program, to promote the
principles and values of environmentally responsible
behaviour.
Metro will roll out a communications campaign featuring in stores
signage, advertisements in flyers and a website dedicated to the
Green Apple School Program.
ABOUT METRO INC.
With annual sales of nearly $11 billion and over 65,000 employees,
Metro Inc. is a leader in the food and pharmaceutical sectors in
Quebec and Ontario, where it operates a network of close to 600
food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus,
A&P, Loeb, Super C and Food Basics, as well as over 250
pharmacies under the Brunet, Clini Plus, The Pharmacy and Drug
Basics banners. For further information, please visit
metro.ca.
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For further information:
Marie-Claude Bacon
Director, Corporate Affairs
Metro Inc.
514 643-1086
mbacon@metro.ca
Claude Hill
Vice-president, General Manager
Fondation québécoise en environnement
514-849-3323
Jean-François Couture,
Fondation québécoise en environnement
Vice-president, Communications
514-235-3168
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