Sobeys Inc. and Enactus Canada partner to reduce avoidable plastic waste in retail
Sobeys Inc. and Enactus Canada have partnered to challenge young Canadians to find innovative solutions to reduce avoidable plastics for grocery retailers and Canadian consumers. The partnership follows the grocer’s industry leading commitment to remove plastic grocery bags from all Sobeys grocery stores by January 31, 2020, a change that will take 225 million plastic grocery bags out of circulation at Sobeys’ 255 locations across Canada each year.
A proudly Canadian company with more than 100 years of experience in the food business, Sobeys Inc. continues to find innovative ways to partner with industry, local Canadian businesses and key stakeholders, like Enactus Canada, to promote reuse and plastic reduction.
“It’s time for change. Identifying innovative solutions for reuse is incredibly important. There is a very large plastics problem facing our industry and we know we can’t just recycle our way out of it. That’s why we’re proud to work with Enactus Canada to engage students across the country to find smart solutions for the changes we all want to see – reduced plastics, more reuse, and smarter recycling of waste,” said Vittoria Varalli, Vice President of Sustainability, Sobeys Inc. “When it comes to reducing plastic waste in grocery retail, we know there are many factors to balance, like food waste and food safety, and it will take a collective effort to drive real, meaningful change for the future. We’re proud to be doing our part to drive that change.”
Sobeys Inc. joins other leading Canadian companies to support Enactus Canada’s mission of shaping generations of entrepreneurial leaders who see business as a way to address social issues.
“Enactus Canada is extremely excited to begin working with Sobeys Inc. this year,” said Nicole Almond, Enactus Canada president. “As an industry leader in food retail that is doing their part in bettering products, communities and the planet for the families of the future, we are thrilled to have Sobeys Inc. join our community.”
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ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, a national charity and the country’s largest post-secondary experiential learning platform, is shaping entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 3,400 post-secondary students led 267 community empowerment projects and business ventures last year in communities coast to coast, directly impacting over 50,000 lives.
As a global network of 37 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.
ABOUT SOBEYS Inc.: Proudly Canadian, with headquarters in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Sobeys has been serving the food shopping needs of Canadians since 1907. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A), Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1,500 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy and Lawton’s Drug Stores as well as more than 350 retail fuel locations. Sobeys, its franchisees and affiliates employ approximately 123,000 people. More information on Sobeys Inc. can be found at www.sobeyscorporate.com.
Media inquiries:
Jennifer Falzon
Vice President, Programs & Marketing
Enactus Canada
jen@enactus.ca
(416) 315-2099
Violet MacLeod
Specialist, External Communications
Sobeys Inc.
782-440-2208
Violet.macleod@sobeys.com