NB Liquor will give proceeds from new recyclable bags to charities

NB Liquor customers will now have the opportunity to help the environment and two provincial non-profit organizations by buying new locally made recyclable plastic bags.

The Crown-owned liquor corporation had been seeking a locally made recyclable bag as an alternative to the traditional options for customers.

The search ended on Monday when the Crown corporationannounced thatnew plastic bags will be made of 45 per cent recycled material and will cost customers five cents each.

A New Brunswick company will make the bags and they can be recycled through blue box programs.

Nora Lacey, a spokeswoman for NB Liquor, said the company didn't want to import recyclable bags used in other jurisdictions that are made in Asia and are only recyclable on that continent.

"We didn't want to go that route," she said.

"We wanted to have something that was, if possible, both manufactured and recyclable here in the province."

Additionally, the corporation is rolling out a four-bottle reusable canvas bag for $1.99 plus HST.

Customers will have the option of using a free brown paper bag to carry their purchases.

NB Liquor will divert all of the proceeds from the new bags to the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

"We do anticipate being able to donate between $80,000 and $90,000 to be split between those two organizations," Lacey said.