The Company also creates Green Apple School Program
in time for back-to-school season
Toronto, May 31, 2009 – Beginning, June 1, all
Metro stores across Ontario and Quebec (Metro, A&P, Loeb, 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. In addition, the company is
creating the Green Apple School Program to encourage
students in Ontario and Quebec to develop projects to promote a
healthier environment, in time for back to school next fall.
“The Green Apple School Program is aimed at helping schools take
concrete action for the environment and community wellness,” says
Selena Fiacco, Director, Communications, Metro Ontario 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,” Fiacco 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 in
2007.
Metro will roll out a communications campaign featuring in-store
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:
Selena Fiacco
Director, Communications
Metro Ontario Inc.
416-234-6081
selena.fiacco@metro.ca
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