Save-On-Foods temporarily suspending bottle returns, use of reusable bags

Save-On-Foods has announced more precautions in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Effective tomorrow (March 20), the company says all 178 stores across Western Canada will be providing plastic bags free of charge until further notice while temporarily suspending bottle returns. 

Yesterday (March 18), Save-On-Foods cut back its hours, while also dedicating one hour before opening to the general public for those who need assistance shopping. 

It adds the move comes as an extra measure to protect the health and safety of Save-On-Foods team members and customers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“Both our team members and customers have expressed concern about bottle returns and in using reusable bags at this time and we want to do everything we can to put them at ease,” Save-On-Foods president Darrell Jones said in a news release issued today (March 19).

“The health and safety of our team members and customers is our number one priority and we’ll continue to do what’s best for them as this unprecedented situation evolves. Until further notice, we will not be accepting bottle returns or reusable bags in our stores and we will not be charging our customers for plastic bags.”

"Suspending the use of bottle returns and reusable bags is one of many measures the company has undertaken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as limiting shopping hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and dedicating the hour from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. to seniors and others at risk to shop. Save-On-Foods is also urging customers to shop normally and leave their delivery service available for people who can’t get to the store."