Toronto Plastic Bag Ban

In January, 2013, Toronto plans to officially launch a full ban on single use plastic bags. This means that retailers will no longer be able to provide customers with plastic carry-out bags for food, clothing or other product purchases.  Plastic bags will NOT be available for a five cent fee.  As of January, 2013, if Toronto council has its way, retailers will only be able to provide reusable bags (likely at a purchase cost) or paper bags.  In fact, offering a plastic bag could result in a fine for the retailer.  Consumers can also choose to use their own bags or reusable containers.

According to the City of Toronto, the plastic bags in question are as follows:

 http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/pdf/plastic_bag_consultation_presentation.pdf

"Single-Use Plastic Carryout (Shopping) Bag

A bag made of plastic film, designed to carry customer purchases from a retail business establishment but does not include: 

A. Bags used by customers inside retail business establishments to package bulk items such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy, or small hardware items such as nails and bolts;

B. Bags used to contain or wrap frozen foods, meat or fish, flowers or potted plants, whether pre-packaged or not;

C. Bags used to protect prepared foods or bakery goods;

D. Bags provided by pharmacists to contain prescription drugs;

E. Newspaper bags;

F. Door-hanger bags;

G. Laundry-dry cleaning bags; or

H. Bags sold in packages containing multiple bags intended for such uses as garbage, pet waste, yard waste, recycling, or household organics" 

While we do need to reduce our use of single-use plastic bags, replacing these bags with paper bags may not be the answer.  Paper bags require more processing (costing more electricity and creating more pollution) and are more expensive to make.  Paper bags are also considerably more expensive for the retailer to purchase thus you may find extra mark-ups on product to offset higher costs.  

Reusable bags are also a great option to replace plastic bags.  Often, consumers can collect reusable bags at trade shows, events or by purchasing from a local retailer.  But, care must be taken to ensure these bags are kept clean.  Regular washing is mandatory for reusable bags, particular when used for groceries.  Another issue with reusable bags is the simple fact that we may forget them.  Many people simply forget to put the bags back in their vehicle, or forget to take them into the store.  How many of you have ran into a store for one item only to come out with a bagful?

The Toronto bag ban will be an interesting battle to watch.  The draft bylaw will be considered for enactment on November 27 or 28th, 2012. What happens at that point is still unknown as there will have to be some leniency and time for retailers to use up remaining bag stock and purchase new stock.  It can take weeks to have new paper and reusable bags custom printed with logos and/or manufactured.

We strongly advise Toronto area clients to consider your options now and wait til the end of November before placing any large plastic bag orders.