The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is phasing out the use of paper bags, which it says will save the equivalent of more than 188,000 trees annually.

Customers can request a re-used cardboard box or 8-pack carrier at no cost. They may also purchase a reusable bag, including cooler bags which will be available starting May 24.

Regarding timelines for the phase-out, the LCBO told The Epoch Times via email, “We plan to run down existing inventory which may take several months and differ by location. We will continue to keep our customers updated as supplies deplete.”

The LCBO stopped using plastic bags 15 years ago, well ahead of the federal ban on single-use plastic that took effect Dec. 20, 2022.

“Fifteen years ago, we took the lead to remove single-use plastic bags from our stores. Now, the removal of single-use paper bags is another important step in our efforts to minimize our impact on the environment,” said LCBO President and CEO George Soleas in a April 27 release.

The crown corporation estimates its paper bags contributed 2,665 tonnes of waste to landfills annually. The announcement to remove them is part of its Shine Sustainability campaign, which includes a fundraising campaign to plant one million trees across Ontario.