A PLAN TO ELIMINATE PLASTIC BAG USE IN WHISTLER

There is a giant patch of plastic floating in the Pacific Ocean that scientists are monitoring, estimated to weigh 3 million tons and covering an area twice the size of Texas.

About four fifths of marine trash comes from land, swept by wind or washed by rain off highways, streets and landfills, down streams and rivers and out to sea.

Plastic bags don’t biodegrade, they photodegrade – breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits which contaminate soil and waterways, and enter the food web when animals accidentally ingest them.

AWARE is working to reduce, and eventually eliminate, plastic bag use in Whistler by educating the community and providing them with the tools to succeed. For this plan to be successful, community, business, and Council support are key.

What’s the Issue?
The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) says that if plastic bags are banned or taxed, consumers will substitute paper bags or buy thicker plastic bags instead, causing more landfill and pollution.

Paper bags have 10 times the volume and six times the weight of plastic shopping bags, and don’t break down properly in landfills. Thicker plastic bags contain 81% more plastic resin.

The CPIA says that lightweight plastic shopping bags are not a landfill problem, making up less than one percent of residential solid waste. They have an effective recycling program in place, where the average consumer uses a plastic bag two or more times, and then recycles it.

So what is the issue? Although a necessary step towards waste reduction, recycling is just third in the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Waste Reduction
Reducing the production and consumption of plastics before they become municipal waste reduces both pollution and the energy necessary for the recycling process. It saves life cycle waste and costs – raw material extraction, transportation, processing, manufacturing, packaging, and disposal.

Reusing sturdy, non-toxic bags which have been sourced close to home is the easiest solution available to reducing plastic bag waste. AWARE has received generous funding from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and the Community Foundation of Whistler to provide education and free reusable bags to the community. After considerable research, AWARE has purchased bags made of recycled cotton mill leftovers produced in North America, for a giveaway at the end of the year.

Benefits to Retailers
Selling reusable bags rather than giving away plastic bags means covering costs and playing a part in awareness-raising and waste reduction in our community.

Whistler’s economy is reliant on outdoor recreation, and sustainability is one of Whistler’s greatest selling features. A shift to reusable bags can raise the business community’s profile and create great media attention. An attractive goal is to combine our efforts to make the Sea to Sky Corridor plastic bag-free in time for the 2010 Olympics.

What Other Communities Are Doing
The Ontario government announced its plan to reduce the use of plastic bags by half over the next five years. Under a deal brokered by the province with the plastics, recycling and supermarket industries, consumers will be offered incentives such as discounts, rebates or Air Miles points for eschewing plastic. Stores will train staff to double-bag less, and fill bags more.

Toronto, ON, Pointe Claire, QC and Edmonton, AB are developing plastic bag initiatives.

In March 2007 San Francisco, CA became the first North American city to pass a plastic bag ban in grocery stores and large pharmacies. Retailers were given a phase-out period prior to the ban, which came into full effect November 20, 2007.

In April 2007, Leaf Rapids, MB became the first municipality in Canada to ban plastic shopping bags.

In the same month, a motion was passed in Squamish, BC to reduce plastic shopping bag use 50% by 2010. The Business Improvement Association says the downtown core will likely go plastic-bag free very quickly. Large grocery stores and “big box” stores are next step. Pemberton, Tofino, Canyon, Kimberley, Maple Ridge, and Golden are following suit.

On November 15, 2007, Real Canadian Superstore in Langford, BC became the first major grocery and general merchandise retail store in B.C. to eliminate plastic bags at the checkout.

Keys to Success
Start to change consumer habits by asking their customers if they need a bag, rather than offering them immediately. Grocery, retail and liquor store sectors should take the lead.

Reusable bags for sale should be affordable, close to the cash register, and coupled with small flyers to educate customers about why they should refuse plastic bags.

The accommodation sector could provide ‘loaner’ bags, just like bathrobes, in each room. Whistler branding will keep the message with the bags and in the minds of our visitors, enhancing their resort experience.

Whistler’s composting facility is integral to the success of plastic bag elimination. When wet garbage is composted, only dry garbage is left in the bin. Ideally, no bag would need to be used, however compostable garbage bags made of starches (like those offered by Mountain Equipment Co-op) could take their place, if needed.

What You Can Do

1. Send AWARE your letter of support for this initiative aware@direct.ca

2. Tell others. Education is key in the process.

3. Support the timely development of a composting system to avoid the use of plastic bags for ‘wet’ garbage.

4. Come out to one of AWARE’s free reusable bag giveaway events, on:

Wednesday, December 12 at Black’s Pub (AWARE’s Green Drinks event) from 6-10 p.m.
Tuesday, December 18 in Millennium Place Lobby, from 1-6 p.m.

Or purchase a reusable bag. The ideal bag is recycled, made as close to home as possible, of non-toxic materials, and is sturdy.

5. Be a role model – keep your reusable bag with you, and make yourself buy a new one if you forget it, rather than accepting plastic.

* Plastic shopping bags have only been in mainstream use for 30 years and have proven to be a burden on our environment. Your help to promote the reduction and eventual elimination of plastic bags is key in enriching Whistler community life, enhancing the resort experience, and protecting the environment.