Foam food containers like this one could one day be banned in Prince Albert, just like plastic bags have been. (ID 1311694 © Edward Westmacott | Dreamstime.com)

By Susan McNeil

City Hall

City will consider foam packaging and container ban

Mar 1, 2022 | 9:56 AM

Months after banning plastic bags in the city, Prince Albert could also be looking at a ban on some foam packaging products.

City staff have been instructed to bring back more information on the impacts and benefits of prohibiting foam products where feasible.

“What we are looking at is, we’re becoming a more environmentally-friendly society,” said Mayor Greg Dionne. “We realize that climate change is a fact and not a myth anymore. We’re working on how to improve things.”

“I’m more interested in getting rid of Styrofoam packing materials than our containers because at the end of the day, we have to give society a chance to catch up.”

Dionne said he is amazed at the packing material that comes when goods are ordered online.

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“I have more issue with Styrofoam peanuts for packaging,” he said, using an example of buying a watch that comes in a box full of foam peanuts.

“If you go to a store and pick it up, there’s no packing material at all. That’s why I encourage everyone, if you can get that same product in our city, go get it. It saves on landfill,” he said.

Foam, like plastic bags, is not recyclable and does not decompose readily.

There are surprising alternatives, which Dionne found out recently after he ordered a package from Israel.

“I got a package, and I was caught off guard, instead of these peanuts, they had popcorn. Then they had a note, please don’t throw this in the landfill, throw it in your backyard for the birds,” he said.

“What a neat packing material idea. Here’s a company going right off the wall, who would have thought of using popcorn?” he asked.

After Prince Albert banned the distribution of plastic bags by businesses, the City of Regina passed a similar bylaw and Saskatoon is also considering it.

This has led to a shortage of paper bags, which Dionne said is being noticed at local retailers.

Prince Albert gave businesses a year of advance warning that plastic would be banned and so the transition has been smooth, Dionne said.

Local businesses have embraced the green initiative.

“I really give the grocery stores credit for jumping on board. I go to Harold’s and there’s two big signs as you’re approaching, remember to bring in your recyclable bags. All it is really, is changing your habits,” Dionne said.

Council discussed the idea at their Feb. 28 executive committee meeting.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow