Manitoba liquor stores to phase out plastic bags

The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission is running out of plastic bags and itwon't bereplacing its supply.

The MLCC is making what it calls an environmentally friendly decision to replace plastic bags exclusively with paper and re-useable polypropylene bags.

"Our [paper] bags are 100-per-cent recyclable , and we are bringing in a polypropylene bag, which is made from 100 per cent recyclable materials, and we will be selling those bags for only 99 cents, which is marginally above our cost," said Steve McConnell, MLCC's marketing manager.

The liquor commission hopes other retailers in the province will follow its lead.

"As the only retailer that is a government agency, we certainly see ourselves as being in a position of showing the way, leading the way, as it were, and that was part of the decision we made," McConnell said.

The MLCC's supply of plastic bags will be exhausted in the coming weeks, McConnell said.