As part of our commitment to caring for our communities and the planet we share, we have launched a Reusable Bag Library in our Thrift Stores across Canada. This program is a simple but effective way to provide anyone in our community with an option to donate their extra reusable bags, so we can offer them to our Guests free of charge when they shop with us.
For a reusable bag to be environmentally friendly, it must be used several times. According to a 2020 United Nations study, a cotton bag needs to be used 50 to 150 times, while a durable, non-woven polypropylene bag must be used for an estimated 10 to 20 times in order for it to have less impact on the environment than a single-use plastic bag.
“In June of last year, we eliminated single-use plastic check out bags from our stores, even though the national ban of single-use plastics* announced by the federal government is not yet in effect”, says Ted Troughton, Managing Director of The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “Now, we are taking a step further as our commitment to environmental stewardship by offering our community members an option to donate of the extra reusable bags they have been accumulating and don’t know what to do with. Through our Reusable Bag Library, these bags will be reused as many times as possible by our valued Guests, instead of being sent to a landfill.”
In your next visit to your local Salvation Army Thrift Store, feel free to donate your reusable bags or borrow one from our Reusable Bag Library. Together we can provide a greener thrifting experience for all and care for the planet we share!
For more information on our social and environmental impact and how you are making a difference by shopping and donating with us, please click here.
* Single-use plastics include checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks and straws (i.e., straight straws)