VINCE’S GOES GREEN WITH “BIO BAGS”

UXBRIDGE, ON, March 21, 2018

Today’s plastic bags will probably outlive us all.

This isn’t so much a testament to product quality, but to an emerging environmental problem that threatens our soils and oceans – as well as our food chain.

Vince’s Market is doing its part to reverse this disturbing trend by providing customers with bio-based shopping bags. These are made from a bio hybrid resin, based on up to 70% sustainable and renewable plant starch that is 100% biodegradable.

Microorganisms that consume and decompose most items – like these bags – and return them to basic compounds found in nature, won’t digest petroleum-based products. Like plastic.

Conventional plastic bags will eventually break down into smaller and smaller pieces, especially when exposed to sunlight. But these tiny crumbs or granules may linger for decades, possibly even centuries, and are already showing up in our fish and shellfish.

Vince’s bio-based bags not only break down completely in about 15 months, but won’t leech harmful chemicals when frozen or heated. They even have a slightly sweet scent.

The company has also made the switch in its produce departments. Bio-based “convenience bags” are not only a greener way to transport fruits and vegetables, but can extend their flavour and freshness by as much as six days*.

Like traditional paper bags, plant starch breathes, releasing excess moisture to help keep produce from spoiling. This is not only a significant advantage over traditional polyethylene, found in most grocery stores, but gives Vince’s convenience bags a use after shoppers arrive home.

And when it comes time to dispose of food waste, they can be placed directly in the green bin – completing the cycle.

“We have always felt that minimizing food packaging waste is an important role we play as an independent grocer,” said Giancarlo Trimarchi, partner, CFO and Controller at Vince’s Market. “We need to be the leaders that can affect change.”

Reducing plastics by way of Vince’s bio bags removes roughly 1.2 million plastic shopping bags and 400,000 convenience bags from landfills, and into compost bins.

“We also feel that providing customers with complimentary bags is a part of what we offer,” he added, “and these bags are no exception.”

*according to independent testing by product research firm NSF International (2017)

Contact:
Neil Moore
Brand Manager, Vince’s Market
905-717-7474
neil@vincesmarket.com • vincesmarket.ca