Vince’s to Phase Out Single-use Plastic Bags

Sharon, ON, January 6, 2023

The Goverment of Canada’s ban on harmful single- use plastics started on December 20, 2022, with the prohibition on the import and manufacture of single-use plastic checkout bags, cutlery, food service ware made from problematic plastics, stir sticks, and straws. Businesses will have a year to phase out the stock they have on-hand, as the prohibition on the sale of these items will come into force in December 2023.

At Vince’s, we are proactive on this issue, and anticipate that we will no longer have single- use shopping bags available within the next 30-45 days. This includes eliminating bio- based shopping bags from all of our locations. Our bags, while compostable in the correct environment, are still included in the ban as they are considered single use.

This ban will eliminate 2 million plastic bags annually from circulation.

We encourage all customers to bring reusable bags on their shopping trips. It is understood that for a reusable bag to become ‘net-zero’ in its carbon footprint, it must be used approximately 35 times. After that, the beneficial impacts are realized. So we encourage shoppers to reduce and reuse as much as possible.

Vince’s now offers an affordable, reusable bag at $0.35/each for purchase in stores. We also offer an extensive line of reusable shopping bags with various attributes – from the sustainably grown, jute-based bags to the highly functional, collapsible cooler box tote. Our front-end team will continue to bag groceries with any reusable bags/boxes customers may bring or purchase.

We feel strongly that our new, affordable poly non-woven bags will provide the best experience when compared to paper bags – and with the least environmental impact. Our bio-based produce and meat bags will still be available in stores, as these are not part of the current government ban.

We look forward to continue serving our community, and are committed to working together with customers to minimize our environmental footprint.

Giancarlo Trimarchi, President, Vince’s Market

Media Contact:
Neil Moore
Brand Manager, Vince’s Market
905.717.7474
neil@vincesmarket.com

About Vince’s Market:
Vince’s is a nationally recognized and award winning, small footprint fresh food retail chain. This privately held company employs more than 300 people in York, Durham, and Simcoe Regions, serving the communities of Sharon, Newmarket, Uxbridge and Tottenham. In 2021, their Tottenham location was recognized as the best small-format grocery store in Canada by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG). In 2019, Vince’s earned the title of Retailer of the Year at the DCI Star Awards. And in 2014, their Newmarket location was awarded 2nd place in Canada for their category by the CFIG. In 2017 and 2018, the chain was recognized as one of “Canada’s Best Managed Companies.” Vince’s is highly active in the community, supporting many life-changing organizations, including food banks, local shelters, hospice, the Women’s Centre of York Region, and the Mental Health Program at Southlake Regional Health Centre. For further information, visit www.vincesmarket.ca