Feedback has been ‘positive’ ahead of tomorrow’s plastic bag ban

Plastic grocery bags in the Sault will officially be a thing of the past beginning tomorrow.

The transition to move to more environmentally friendly carryout bags had gained momentum this year after former city councillor Donna Hilsinger, along with Ward 5 councillor Corey Gardi, had requested the city investigate how they could reduce the use of single-use plastics.

After running a consultation campaign earlier this year, the city developed a by-law that would prohibit the use of single-use plastics.

“We felt that we needed a strategy to be put in place that could be shared with the community and would help us identify targets and goals to overall reduce the waste we create as a city,” Hilsinger says.

The first part of that by-law will come into effect tomorrow, which will see the ban of plastic bags at any grocery stores, restaurants, and businesses that still use them.

Hilsinger says the feedback from businesses and customers has been generally positive, and many stores have already had these changes implemented for months.

“Many businesses undertook their changeover from single-use plastic bags as early as April, and others made the switch throughout the summer,” she says. “I’ve spoken with owners and operators of retail and grocery stores, and I was told there was very little pushback by consumers.”

“However, I was in a store yesterday and there were still plastic bags at the counter,” she adds. “So, there are some businesses that have not made that change as of yet, but they do have until tomorrow.”

Exceptions to the plastic bag ban includes fruit and vegetable bags, bags for loose nuts and candy, as well as pet waste bags.

In February of 2023, a ban on plastic cutlery and straws will come into effect citywide as well.

According to a recent press release from the city, enforcement and fees of the by-law will come into effect by August 8, 2023. Penalties under this by-law include a fine of $500 and in cases of multiple offences the fine is $500 each day up to a limit of $10,000. 

The federal government says the manufacture and import for sale of checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks, and straws will be prohibited as of Dec. 20, 2022, and the sale of those items will be prohibited near the end of 2023.

Hilsinger believes with that in mind, the Sault is already well ahead of the game.

“We are one of only three communities in the entire province of Ontario that undertook this initiative to do our part to protect the environment,” she says. “It’s great to see our community leading on such a significant issue. I think we should be really proud of that.”