Canadian grocery retailers embrace reusable food packaging pilot

Circular Innovation Council, a leading non-profit advancing Canada's circular economy, partners with major grocery retailers Metro, Sobeys, and Walmart Canada to introduce a groundbreaking reuse initiative. This collaboration, co-funded by retailers and Environment and Climate Change Canada, marks Canada's largest reuse effort.

The initiative begins with a reusable food container pilot in Ottawa, set for mid-2024.

The aim is to demonstrate scalable, convenient solutions for reducing single-use plastic packaging.

Consumers can purchase selected items in reusable containers provided at no cost, with convenient return options facilitated by Reusables.com. Ownership of containers is shared among retailers and food service partners, representing a novel approach in Canada.

Insights from the Ottawa pilot will inform future reuse programmes across the country.

Kristi Lalach, SVP, Legal and Sustainability, Empire Company Limited, said: Sobeys has a goal to make it easier to live plastic waste free. We have the reach and responsibility to explore new and innovative ways to eliminate even more plastics from our supply chain. Participating in the design of a program that would give customers a way to reuse containers from the deli and takeaway counters is a step in the right direction for our customers, our communities, and the environment.