Residents of Lacombe will have to remember their re-useable bags when they head to Sobeys, as they are officially discontinuing the use of plastic bags at checkouts as of January 31st, 2020. 

In a nation-wide effort to reduce single-use plastic bags, Sobeys stores have made the choice to stop offering them to shoppers. Instead, they are encouraging people to bring their own totes, bags or bins or purchase a new, reusable bag at the checkout.

Lacombe resident Darryl Demchuk said he isn't bothered by the change one bit.

"I was always a firm believer of just coming in, buying my stuff and walking out the door, that was all cool and dandy. About two weeks ago they said they were going to non-plastic bags. It doesn't really bother me either way, because I have containers and bags," he said. 

Lacombe Sobeys Store Manager Joe Tait said they've been letting customers know about it for a couple of months, and is excited about the change.

"I'm feeling really good, very positive. It's a good way to get some of the plastic out of store use," he said. "We've been trying to put the information out to customers months in advance so they weren't shocked by the change. We're also letting people know the benefits of switching to the reusable bags and paper bags."

Cloth bags are available at the store and are able to be re-washed numerous times. Paper bags will be phased into the stores as an alternative for shoppers. 

The change affects all 225 sobeys stores across the country, and will eventually include banner stores such as Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland and others. The switch is expected to remove 225 million bags from circulation from Sobeys' stores.