Delta will once again look at banning plastic bags from being handed out in stores.
Delta council agreed to explore the issue following a petition containing 300 names submitted by three Grade 11 students at Seaquam Secondary in North Delta.
In their submission, Ashley Meagher, Rayne Inkster and Carroll Gao noted that plastic bags have become a global problem and that Bangladesh became the first country to ban them in 2002. Slowly, other countries and cities have followed suit.
The students said certain cities in Canada, such as Victoria and Montreal, have banned plastic bags, but a growing awareness of the harmful consequences hasn’t been enough to stop the widespread use of plastic bags.
Coun. Dylan Kruger, who has been corresponding with the students, agreed a ban should be considered.
“As a member of the Metro Vancouver climate action committee, I’m tasked with looking for ways to improve the environment and promote healthy consumer habits. It’s critical that Metro Vancouver continues to increase the amount of waste we are able to divert from landfills,” Kruger wrote.
Council approved Kruger’s request to refer the issue to Delta’s community livability advisory committee.
A memo by staff noted Delta had previously considered a ban on plastic grocery bags and, like several other jurisdictions, advocated for action at the provincial level through the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
“Provincial action on this issue would ensure inter-municipal harmonization and consistency for consumers, producers and businesses around the province,” the Delta staff response states.
Meanwhile, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled in favour of the City of Victoria which implemented a ban on single-use bags, a ban challenged by the Canadian Plastic Bag Association.
Earlier this year the Vancouver Island community of Saanich announced it plans to join Victoria by passing a bylaw banning retailers from handing out plastic bags.
