Plastic bags at retail checkouts will be banned beginning October 12, 2021. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Dawson Thompson

Green thinking

City of Prince Albert reinstates ban on plastic bags after COVID hiatus

Jul 13, 2021 | 7:00 AM

Prince Albert city councillors have voted unanimously to reinstate a ban on all plastic bags being used at retail store checkouts.

The ban was temporarily suspended during the pandemic due to sanitary reasons as many shoppers could not bring in their own reusable bags because of contamination concerns.

Plastic bags will no longer be available to shoppers at the checkout beginning on October 12, 2021. The ban was originally implemented in January of 2020.

The only question at Monday’s regular council meeting came from Coun. Blake Edwards, asking about what the cost of paper bags would be to shoppers.

“We’re not implementing this bylaw so businesses can make money on the bags,” Edwards said at the meeting. “I’m seeing some pretty high costs on paper bags to the people. I’m hopeful that businesses don’t take advantage of this and try to make 15 cents a bag.

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“I’m a little concerned that we may see that, and I hope that’s not the case.”

Reducing waste

The purpose of the ban is to reduce litter in the community as well as extend the life of the landfill by minimizing the amount of plastic waste that enters it.

During discussion, Coun. Ted Zurakowski talked about how creating a new cell in the landfill to handle the likes of the plastic bag waste would be a major cost.

“It’s astronomical, it’s $6 million. We have to find another way of doing better, moving forward,” Zurakowski said. “I think this is something we’re going to see across western Canada. The time has come.”

There will be a six month phase-in period for the new ban to help customers adjust by getting re-usable, recyclable bags and for businesses to diminish their stock of plastic bags.

After the phase in-period, there will be fines. Individuals can be fined up to $100 for their first offence, up to $200 for their second offence, and up to $500 for any offence after that. Businesses can be fined up to $500 for their first offence, up to $1000 for their second offence, and up to $10,000 for any following offence.

There will be a few exemptions to the ban including carrying of fruit and vegetables. Fresh or frozen meat in a plastic bag and freshly baked goods will also not be included in the ban. Wrapped flowers and potted plants will also be exempt, as well as newspapers and other printed materials.

In July 2019, the city conducted an online survey regarding the ban of plastic checkout bags. 1,713 residents participated in the survey and 75% of respondents supported the ban.

Dawson.thompson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @dawsonthompson8