Four of Canada's largest retail associations have endorsed a plan to cut the distribution of plastic bags in B.C. by 50% over the next five years.
The groups behind the initiative include the Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores.
An estimated 1.5 billion plastic bags are distributed in B.C. each year.
The plan aims to encourage consumers to use reusable shopping bags through various incentives and education initiatives. It will also provide consumers with a way to collect and recycle single-use plastic bags at retail locations.
The retail groups will be working with the province, the Recycling Council of B.C. and the Union of B.C. Municipalities to promote and implement the project with retailers across the province.