Woodstock City Council Agrees In Principle On Plastic Shopping Bag Ban

Friday, 16 August 2019 at 12:38

The Woodstock Environment Advisory Committee's report recommends exploring the ban, which would aim to decrease waste and environmental damage from single-use plastics and encourage the use of reusable shopping bags. A staff report will come back to council early this fall.

WOODSTOCK - Woodstock City council has agreed in principle to approve the single-use plastic shopping bag ban.

The motion was brought forward by the Woodstock Environment Advisory Committee at last night's meeting.

Mayor Trevor Birtch says staff will now come up with a report.

"There's certain stores already who are looking at using alternatives, whether that's reusable bags or paper bags. And we also see that many of the people in our community would like to continue down the path of being more sustainable. It's not just about today and taking care of the environment, it's about that next generation, our children and grandchildren and making sure they have clean air and clean water and that we do the best we can."

In addition to the report, council also saw delegations from the community.

The committee's report recommends exploring the ban, which would aim to decrease waste and environmental damage from single-use plastics and encourage the use of reusable shopping bags.

Mayor Birtch says the committee has put in a lot of research, however there are still things to consider.

"We know that the province right now is looking at implementing more responsibility for the goods that are produced and how they're recycled, they're looking at revamping all of the recycling programs."

He adds the committee's report has been referred to council to prepare a report on whether or not the ban is practical to implement.

The report also states that Woodstock has the opportunity to be the first city in Ontario to ban single-use plastic bags and that it aligns with their goal of achieving zero waste by the year 2050.

Mayor Birtch says a staff report will come back to council early this fall.