by PAUL RAYNER

The Boissevain Consumers Co-op is using Earth Day as the start of a more environmentally friendly policy.

On Wednesday, April 22, the Co-op offered its customers in the grocery store a 50-cent per bag discount for each re-usable shopping bag they brought in to pack their purchases. According to general manager Greg Gill, the idea was not a new one.

“There have been a few co-ops who have done this,” Gill explained. “We wanted to do it to limit the use of plastic bags and help the environment.”

Earth Day is just the start, however. The Co-op will be offering a 10-cent discount for using the cloth bags in the food store for the rest of the year. Gill said they do have a goal.

“Our plan is to get the usage down significantly. We may not be able to completely get rid of them (plastic bags), but we can get the usage down.”

A lot of retailers have started charging customers for plastic bags. Although this was a possibility, Gill said the Co-op felt a more positive alternative was a better way to go.

“We would rather reward people,” he stated. “We really don’t want to punish our customers for using them. We’re hoping this route is better. We don’t want to go to a bag charge. This is a more positive approach.”

Gill said they use an average of 30,000 bags a month at a cost of between $1,000-$1,300.  The financial impact of the discounts may take some time to come clearly into focus.

“We might lose money initially, but it is the socially and environmentally responsible thing to do.  If we reward people who use the cloth bags, we might break even, and in the end we may save money. It was just the right thing to do.”

As well, the Co-op would like to get a jump on possible legislation. Although there is no ban on plastic bags in the province as of yet, it has been done in other jurisdictions and it would not hurt to be ahead of the curve.

Gill said they are also looking to bring back the paper bags as an alternative, although he was not sure when they would arrive.

The initiative will be in place for a year to start with, and Gill said they would be tracking how much of an impact it is making. Alternatives to plastic in other areas are also being investigated. The idea is to drastically reduce the reliance on plastic for good of everyone.

“Maybe this will help build more awareness and people will use the other bags more,” Gill stated. “We’re going to give it a shot. It is something to try to help the environment. We want to do our part. We have a certain responsibility.”