Prince George will be researching if a ban on single-use plastic bags would be viable in the city.
At the last night’s city council meeting (July 29), Coun. Murry Krause introduced a report to council requesting administration develop a report outlining the requirements and potential impacts of regulating single-use plastic bags.
“I think it’s important that we acknowledge what single-use plastics bags are doing to our litter issues, to our landfill and to our waterways,” noted Krause during the meeting. “I think it is important to let the federal and provincial government know this is important to local governments."
In his request, Krause said the motion represents the growing number of communities that are regulating the use of single-use plastics in an effort to reduce the impacts of excessive consumption habits, litter problems and poor recycling diversion rates.
He also noted the federal government is considering a ban on all single-use plastics by as early as 2021. According to the feds, about one-third of the plastics used in Canada are for single-use or short-lived products and packaging. Up to 15 billion plastic bags are used every year in the country.
Krause also pointed out that a ban in Victoria was initially supported by the Supreme Court of B.C. but was recently struck down by the court of appeal, citing lack of consultation with the minister of environment.
“By referring this to administration, I’m hoping there could be an assessment of the viability of such a ban at this particular time looking at everything else that is happening the province,” added Krause.
The recommendation that council direct administration to provide a report back to council on the requirements and potential impacts of regulating the business use of single-use checkout bags was passed unanimously.
