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| Change is on the way for how you haul your supplies out of the BC Liquor Store |
BC Liquor Stores are getting ready to phase out their supply of plastic bags with the agency which runs the network of 197 liquor stores across the province putting out a Request for Proposals for supply and delivery of paper bags for the fall.
The call for bids from the BC Liquor Distribution Branch was posted to the BC Bid website late last week and the background information describes their plan to switch over to the paper version as part of its commitment to social responsibility and to minimize the impact of its operations on the environment. It also comes amidst some pending or proposed legislation in a number of communities in BC.
To support its commitment to social responsibility and minimizing the impact of its operations on the environment, the LDB is eliminating plastic bags from its network of 197 BCLS and will be offering customers paper bags for the charge of an environmental fee.
This decision aligns with plastic bag distribution bylaws adopted in several BC municipalities, including Victoria, Salmon Arm, Tofino, Courtenay, and others. A number of other municipalities have also expressed interest in enforcing a bylaw to eliminate plastic checkout bags.
As for the bags, the Liquor Distribution Branch has a pretty set guideline for proponents to keep in mind if they wish to be the supplier for the province's liquor stores.
Proponents are to propose, supply, and deliver paper bags that meet the following LDB requirements as well as the specifications set out in Appendix A-1 Pricing Information and Specification Form and Appendix E Specification Drawing:
a) a dimension of 9.75”W x 6”D x 16” - 17”H (W x D x H);
b) made from natural kraft paper with a base weight of approximately 100 grams per square meter;
c) contain a minimum 40% post-consumer recycled content;
d) printed using vegetable oil or water-based ink;
e) be 100% recyclable/compostable material, preferably using starch-based glues;
f) capable of supporting goods weighing a minimum of 7.5 kg without breaking; and
g) be packaged in bundles of no more than 200 bags (per bundle).
The Liquor Distribution branch estimates that from test markets where they have been using paper bags, the consumption level of the bags is 2,000 bags per week, with some seasonal variances.
Would be suppliers are asked to provide for six samples of their proposed product, as well as their strategy for delivery and shipment of the product should they be the successful bidder.
The timeline for the bids and introduction of the new bags is as follows:
You can explore the bid further from the BC Bid website here.
Once the project is moved from the Bid to the production phase, it won't mark the first time that Prince Rupert shoppers will have seen paper bags at the local liquor store.
In December of 2017, School District 52, the RCMP and the BC Liquor store partnered on a seasonal bag decoration project to send a message to impaired drivers.
Though we imagine a weekly delivery of 2,000 bags per store, might be a bit out of the production range for local students to consider putting a bid in for.
What might come next however for shoppers, is the need for a cloth bag program to cart the cargo out of the local store during the somewhat damper fall. winter and spring months ... perhaps a local project that some enterprising crafters may want to take on as an add on to the Liquor Distribution plans.
More notes on items of interest out of the commercial sector can be found from our archive page here.
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