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By Dawson Thompson

Shopping Tips

People will adjust to plastic bag ban according to the P.A. and District Chamber of Commerce

Jul 14, 2021 | 5:00 PM

The Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce has a had a few days to reflect on the news of the recent ban on plastic bags at checkouts which will be starting October 12, 2021.

While people in the community are not impressed at the moment, they will learn to adapt, Elise Hildebrandt, CEO of the chamber told paNOW.

“It is something we knew was coming and that is the way everything is turning to anyways. No matter where you seem to be going in the world, plastic is being banned anyway.

Bans on plastic bags at checkouts are being put in place at many other locations across the nation. The chamber has a few suggestions, regarding adaptations.

“Bring in boxes or bring in your recyclable bags to shop,” Hildebrandt said.

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One of the primary reasons the ban is being put into place is to lessen the amount of plastic waste that will enter landfills.

“What do you do with your over supply of bags, because they are not supposed to go in the garbage,” Hildebrandt said.

During the interview she brought an idea for any oversupply of plastic bags.

“What if we can turn them into something like matts at front doors,” Hildebrandt suggested. “Do we look at those kinds of ideas?”

“Are there options for our plastic bags? I would think that we have enough brilliant minds that we can still use them.”

The chamber is hoping the ban will not impact impulse shopping too much and suggests people still shop local.

“We’ll all learn and adjust,” Hildebrandt said. “A lot of people have made the adjustment already and the rest of us who haven’t will have to change our thinking because it is happening no matter where you go. Everybody is looking at the aspect, how do we get rid of plastic bags.”

Originally, the ban was put into place in January 2020, but was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now being enforced once again since restrictions have been lifted provincially.

There will be a grace period of three months before fines for plastic bags at checkouts will start.

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Dawson.thompson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @dawsonthompson8