Plastic bags won't be accepted for recycling in greater Saint John starting in March

The Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission plans to stop accepting plastic bags for recycling in March and is urging greater Saint John municipalities to pass bylaws banning single-use plastic bags.

The commission has about 40 tonnes of plastic bags sorted and baled roughly two years' worth stockpiled in its warehouse but no market for them, saidBrenda MacCallum, the head of public relations and project development.

"And we're not seeing a glimmer of hope for those bags."

So starting March 1, it won't be taking them anymore and MacCallumis trying to get the message out.

She is encouraging people to start now to reduce plastic bag use.

The commission has alsopassed a motion recommending the five municipalities in the greater Saint John area follow the lead of other jurisdictions in Atlantic Canada and ban the bags.

Prince Edward Island, for example, where themanagement corporationwas facing a similar stockpile of unwanted plastic bags when China stopped taking overseas recyclables in the fall of 2017, implementedthe Plastic Bag Reduction Act on July 1, 2019.

The act prohibits businesses from offering plastic bags at the checkout, with a few exceptions, such as food safety reasons, for medications or dry cleaning.

Instead,businesses are required to charge a minimum of 15 cents for a paper bag and around $1 for reusable bags. Customers can also bring their own bags with them.

Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe have all introduced a similar bylaw expected to come into effect in July 2020, said MacCallum, noting the Retail Council of Canada has recommended such a harmonized approach to make it easier for businesses and consumers alike.

The Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission serves theCity of Saint John,Town of Grand Bay-Westfield,Town of Hampton,Town of Quispamsis,Town of Rothesay andVillage of St. Martins.

It also serves several local service districts, includingClarendon,Fairfield,Greenwich,Hampton,Kingston, Musquash, Petersville,Rothesay,St.Martins andSimonds.