In the midst of an environmental crisis, individual municipalities are trying to help by banning plastic grocery bags.
In the midst of an environmental crisis, individual municipalities are trying to help by banning plastic grocery bags.
Victoria's bylaw was recently struck down by the court ruling the municipality does not have the authority to act without provincial government approval.
So, the Regional District of the North Okanagan (RDNO) submitted a bylaw proposal to the province last week.
For RDNO Board Chair Kevin Acton, a uniform provincial ban on single-use plastics is the ultimate goal.
“Although we can create individual bylaws for each one of our towns , regions, areas we would prefer if the province picked up on what we think is some positive feedback coming from our residents and try to create something sooner than later at a provincial level so that we don’t have individual bylaws in every community,” said Acton.
The proposed bylaw focuses on grocery bags because they are made from cheap, non-recyclable material.
He said advocating for a law at the provincial level will prevent individual bylaws in every community.
“We're just trying to create some awareness and create a bit of a ground swell so that we can help the province in making a decision to move forward with banning all plastics that aren't recyclable and putting some stricter rules in, in regards to packaging and how we move forward with creating waste.”
In the meantime, Acton explained ways people can reduce their consumption rate by making different choices at the grocery store.
“You buy in bulk and you buy things that aren't packaged in a grotesque manner. I think every individual, if they watch what they do for purchasing and if they want to get a little more bothersome to the producers, they can start emailing companies and have more conversation on social media. We know public pressure helps us move along as government and I’m sure that public pressure will help producers move along as well.”
At this time, there is no plan to ban plastic bags in BC.
