The northern Manitoba town of Leaf Rapids will prohibit retailers from using single-use plastic bags. The ban will go into effect on April 2. Here’s part of the press release being issued by InStore Products Ltd., a Mississauga, Ont. company that makes those green re-useable shopping cart bins (left)you often see some grocery store shoppers use.
“…By-Law 462, which will be implemented on April 2nd states that retailers will no longer be permitted to give away or sell plastics shopping bags that are intended for single use. The town of Leaf Rapids is the first town in Canada to do so.
With this important environmental announcement, the town will set precedent and send a message to other Canadian cities that we need to collectively raise awareness on this topic and take a more proactive role in preserving our landscape. Leaf Rapids is taking a huge step towards recognizing and responding to the detrimental impact that plastic bags have on the environment.”
Here’s some background on this issue published in the Winnipeg Free Press last fall:
Leaf Rapids giving free cloth bags to residents
September 2, 2006
By Jason BellLeaf Rapids town leaders figure the fight against pollution is in the bag.
The northern Manitoba community has stepped up its municipal recycling program by giving away free cloth grocery bags in an effort to phase out the use of plastic bags.
There are about 700 cloth bags available — that's more than each of approximately 550 residents in the community 150 kilometres northwest of Thompson.
…
The Town of Leaf Rapids has also implemented a levy on plastic shopping bags — three pennies per bag — paid right at the grocery store checkout. It's a program used by some communities in Europe and the United States, but it's a brand new concept in Canada.
“The idea is not to make money. The idea is to reduce the use of these bags,” said Bond Ryan, Leaf Rapids' municipal administrator. “The hope is that we can greatly reduce the amount of bags flying around (as litter) and in our landfill.”
Leaf Rapids usually spends about $5,000 annually to clean up bags that blow out of the dump.
The town is also buying plastic bags from residents for one cent and then sending them off to be recycled.
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