Last November, the ban on single-use plastics across the country was lifted because it was found to be “unreasonable and unconstitutional.”
This legislation was first introduced in December 2022.
On a provincial level, BC banned plastic shopping bags, straws, utensils and polystyrene foam containers.
These bans are not likely to be reverted in BC; however, a British Columbia-based statistics and analytics firm, Research Co. conducted a recent survey in order to gauge how many in the Province do support the plastic ban and how much further they’d like to see it taken.
The data from the survey shows that of the provincial sample polled, 71% support banning single-use plastics. Meanwhile 24% were opposed and 6% were undecided.
Surprisingly, on Vancouver Island, the same approval rate of 71% was polled. The lowest approval rate was polled in Northern BC, where only 66% support the idea.
Some positives have come about since plastic bags were banned. Most people choose not to use paper bags available for purchase in grocery stores.
According to Research Co., 84% of Vancouver Islanders use reusable bags while only 15% say they prefer to use paper bags.
However, when it comes to other “green” practices, there is still a longway to come.
On Vancouver Island, only 51% said that they go out of their way to properly recycle, only 26% limit hot water usage in their home, only 16% unplug unused appliances, 11% seek out biodegradable products and only 10% grow their own organic food.
Going forward, the Province has further goals of single-use plastic bans that will come into effect in a staggered implementation.
The latest was a restriction on food service accessories such as cup lids that came into effect on December 20th of last year.
This July, there will be a minimum fee for reusable or paper shopping bags as well as restrictions on shopping bags, food service ware and oxo-degradable plastics.
Following that, BC will bring about restrictions on PVC film wrap and restrictions on polystyrene foam meat trays in 2028 and 2030 respectively.
What do you think about the ban of reusable plastics in BC and Canada? Let us know in the comments!
