The city’s executive committee member responsible for the environment, Jean-François Parenteau, says retail store owners will have a grace period to adjust to the new bylaw, during which time city officials will meet retailers to help them figure out how to conform to the new way of doing things.
After June 5 — World Environment Day — retailers will be subject to penalties if they continue to hand out thin, single-use bags.
Parenteau said it is an easy decision for the environment. "Quebecers use two billion bags a year, and the recuperation rate is only 14 per cent," he said.
"We can find these bags in the trees, on the South Shore — everywhere in nature."
Biodegradable Bags Banned, Too
The new bylaw bans lightweight plastic shopping bags, specifically ones that are less than 50 microns (or 0.05 millimetres) thick.
The ban also applies to all types of oxo-degradable, oxo-fragmentable, oxo-biodegradable and biodegradable bags.
Certain bags, such as small plastic bags used for fresh vegetables or medication, will not be banned for hygienic reasons.
Taso Erimos, the owner of P.A. Marché, a chain of grocery stores that includes the flagship store on Montreal’s Park Avenue, said his cashiers dole out more than 1,000 thin bags per day.
"I don’t think it’s a bad idea eliminating bags. People will probably get used to bringing their own," he said, noting the thin bags cost him two cents each.
Erimos said he’s not sure whether his stores will switch to paper or reusable plastic bags. He said staff will be asking customers what they prefer as an alternative.
"I think it’s the right thing to do," said Robert Haccoun, a P.A. customer walking out of the store with his groceries stuffed into several thin, green biodegradable bags.
"These things are useful when you’re stupid enough to forget your own bag. But you know, we just won’t forget it."
Brossard Shows How it’s Done
Montrealers don’t have to go far to know how the ban might work. People living across the St. Lawrence River in Brossard have been doing without plastic bags since 2016.
While carting out a few items from his local grocery store, Mizan Chowdhury said he is happy about the ban. "It’s making people more aware of the environmental impact that plastic bags have, so it’s a good idea," he said.
To read the full story, visit http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/what-you-need-to-know-about-montreal-s-plastic-bag-ban-1.4451421.