Sobeys benches divert 720,000 plastic bags from landfill

The Ultimate Picnic Table, unveiled by Sobeys Inc.
Photo: Sobeys

STELLARTON, NS — Sobeys Inc. is donating a collection of public seating made entirely of recycled plastic bags and heavier recycled plastic materials, such as bins, to be installed in community spaces across Atlantic Canada.

The Stellarton, NS-based national grocer intends to divert 720,000 plastic bags from landfill to make waterfront benches and picnic tables.

The first piece, the specially designed Ultimate Picnic Table made by LakeCity Plastics in Dartmouth was unveiled at the Halifax Waterfront. This large table and bench system seats 20 people and is built from 60,000 recycled plastic bags.

Sobey’s is collaborating with Develop Nova Scotia and other Atlantic government partners to select accessible, family-focused public spaces on waterfronts across the region.

The grocer has committed to remove plastic grocery bags from all Sobeys grocery stores by the end of January 2020. The change will take 225 million plastic grocery bags out of circulation at 255 locations across Canada each year.

LakeCity Plastics, a social enterprise that provides employment opportunities to youth and adults living with mental illness, is collaborating with Goodwood Plastic Products of Colchester County. It’s sourcing Goodwood’s plastic lumber which is made from used plastic bags and containers, to produce outdoor furniture.

Each regular sized picnic table diverts more than 15,000 plastic bags from local landfills.

“This was a natural partnership for us. We know that Sobeys is focused on sustainability, and supports reusable alternatives,” said LakeCity Plastics executive director Liam O’Rourke. “From a sector perspective, having Sobeys decide to ‘buy social’ and support one of our budding enterprises shows their great community leadership in so many ways. This is an exciting project with both social and environmental benefits, a win-win for Nova Scotia.”