Loblaw encourages Atlantic Canadians to up keep up momentum in their reusable
bag use

Atlantic Canadians have helped reduce plastic bag use by 62 per cent at their local Loblaw stores

HALIFAX, March 1 /CNW/ - Building on success to date, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) encourages its Atlantic Canada customers to go green. In the Atlantic, Loblaw will continue to provide plastic bags at no charge and starting today, will give customers one cent back for every reusable bag and bin used with a purchase at Atlantic Superstores, Dominion (NL and Labrador) and Save Easy locations.

Today, Loblaw is introducing its new "Bring it, Be green" campaign. It will feature a one cent back program and refreshed in-store signage to remind customers to bring reusable bag options. Customers who use their President's Choice Financial(R) MasterCard(R) or bank card will continue to receive 50 PC(R) points for every reusable bag, or bin used with purchase. Customers are reminded that if they forget their reusable bags, they can opt to purchase the PC(R) G.R.E.E.N(TM) reusable bin, which can be returned for a full refund.

"Like our customers, Loblaw remains committed to the environment and to reducing the number of plastic shopping bags distributed from our stores," said Phil McNeill, Senior Vice President, Atlantic Market, Loblaw Companies Limited. "Our customers in Atlantic Canada have given us feedback about how they prefer we work with them to reduce plastic shopping bag use and we are excited to build on that success and increase the positive impact."

In 2009 Loblaw reached its national target of diverting one billion bags from landfill. Atlantic Canadians helped attain this target by reducing their plastic shopping bag use by 62 per cent. A great foundation has been laid in Atlantic Canada - surpassing Loblaw's initial target of 55 per cent reduction in plastic shopping bag use.

WWF- Canada praised Atlantic Canadians for reducing overall plastic shopping bag use. "Every person has a role to play in reducing their environmental footprint on our planet," says Hadley Archer, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, WWF-Canada. "We will continue to work with Loblaw to raise awareness and encourage environmental stewardship from the grassroots level to national leadership, to help build a more sustainable future."

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food distributor and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ over 139,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian customers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President's Choice(R), no name(R) and Joe Fresh Style(R) brands. In addition, the Company makes available to customers President's Choice Financial(R) services and offers the PC(R) points loyalty program.

For further information: please contact [email protected] or Jennifer MacIssac, Bristol Group, [email protected], [phone]