Grocery chain 'tone deaf' for shutting lid on zero-waste customers

When Danielle Doucetposted about her embrace of the zero-wastelifestyle by bringing her own containers to the local Provigodeli counter, her efforts went viral on social media.

Doucet shared a photo of her plastic containers filled with deli meats in her grocery cart, with themessage: "Don't be embarrassed and say a little hello to the dpartement charcuterie and butcher shop."

Thousands of people shared the post, and she was applauded for hereffort.

"I thought, 'Wow,this is becominga movement,'"Doucettold CBC News. "Now we're getting somewhere."

But her dreams of igniting a zero-waste revolution at the big grocery chains were dashed after only a month.

Despiteenthusiastic support from folks behind the counter at the Provigostore in Gatineau's Hull sector, she soon received a phone call from Provigo's management, who'd caught wind of the social media buzz.

Doucet said that Provigo which is owned by Loblaw, which operates the Loblaws grocery store chain in the rest of Canada told her she'd have to get her meat in the plastic bags provided in storefrom now on.

Store manager JulieGoulettold CBCthe store is concerned about cross-contamination between personal containers and the strictly controlled environment behind the meat counter.

"We have very strict rules around food safety," explained Goulet in a French-language interview. "Thesafety of our customers is a priority, and this is a risk we won't take."

Loblawcould reconsider Canada-wide policy

When contacted by CBC News, Joanne Hroux, senior director of public relations forLoblaw, confirmed the policy is Canada-wide.

"There could come a time we may reconsider that policy, but for now we feel it's not worth the risk to our customers," said Hroux.

Loblawthen sent a statement later in the day reiterating its focus on safety, while noting that the chain will "continuecontinue to investigate the possibility of customers using their own containers."

Other chains have already reconsidered their stances, including Bulk Barn, which changed its policy last year after years resisting customer appeals.

In a statement, the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which isresponsible for food safety in the province, saidstores like Provigo can offer this service as long as employees follow a certain protocol to avoid cross-contamination.

That protocol includes washing their hands andcleaning both the container and any surfaces it's touched.

Supermarkets 'tone-deaf'

Smaller stores have embraced the zero-waste movement, including Ottawa's Nu Grocery which offers a range ofcustomergoods with no packaging, from peanut butter to shampoo and toothpaste.

"When consumers take this step to reduce their waste, supermarkets need to listen instead of shutting them down," said store ownerValrieLeloup.

Bring-your-own-container plan squashed

7 years ago

Duration 0:47

Danielle Doucet had been using her own containers from home to package deli items at a Provigo supermarket and encouraging others to do the same. Now Provigo has told her it's no longer allowed, citing a risk of food contamination.

"Nowadays it's being tone deaf to ignore the problem and just say 'No we won't accept it,'" she added.

Fight continues

Doucetsaid she's disappointed with Provigo's stand, particularly since it was clear thousands of people supported her efforts.

"I'm a bit sad about it," said Doucet, adding that she hopesgrocery chains willrethink their positionsabout the zero-waste movement.

She said she'll continue to find ways to reduce her family's waste consumption and for now, will go furtherafield to find a grocery store that will accept her containers.