The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) is on a PR offensive with a new website aimed at busting some of myths and promoting facts surrounding plastic bags in hopes of changing Toronto city councillors’ decision to ban the bags.
In June, Toronto made the decision to ban plastic bags entirely at the start of the new year.
The CPIA argues that revising the ban is responsible from a number of angles, including environmental.
The AllAboutBags.ca website says plastic bags are not any worse than the reusable bags sold in grocery stores, and that in fact reusable bags can have a larger environmental footprint.
Because heavy-duty reusable bags take more resources to make and are not recyclable, they are only more beneficial if used frequently and for multiple purposes, according to the website. It also says paper bags a larger environmental footprint than plastic bags because of the resources required to make them.
Toronto’s decision to ban was made with little public notice. A survey conducted by Forum Research at the time found that 53 percent of those surveyed disapproved of the ban while 44 percent approved.
The Recycling Council of Ontario, for example, was happy with the news of the ban. In a June release, executive director Jo-Anne St. Godard said that they are impressed with the decision to ban plastic bags, saying it’s a logical next step.
“Torontonians have already proven they can survive without plastic bags and the city has confirmed the levy was a money saver. Toronto is really in a great position to be a leader, becoming the first Canadian city to ban bags altogether,” said St. Godard.
At City Hall, however, there is a split between councillors who are for and against the ban. The CPIA hopes that through creating the website they will convince more councillors to reconsider their stance.
“This is a complex issue. All bags, whether used as carry bags or to manage household waste, have environmental impacts. Toronto’s decision to ban plastic shopping bags was made based on misconceptions about bags and the environment and without analysis of the facts and the consequences of a ban,” Marion Axmith, director general of CPIA, said in a news release.
The website also notes that total bans on plastic shopping bags that have been imposed on the public in other countries have failed. Total bans need the support of the public, according to CPIA. However, the group supports reduction strategies that are gradual and give consumers a choice on whether to use plastic bags or not.
The website also highlights that 90 percent of plastic bags are made locally, while 90 percent of reusable bags are made overseas in countries like China. Locally produced bags, therefore, help provide more jobs for Canadians.
In addition, the website says Canadians reuse plastic bags at home to recycle organic waste, household waste, pet waste, and for other purposes. “Canadians are highly committed to responsible use,” CPIA says.
City council will convene on Oct. 2 to review the motion to ban plastic bags. For the motion to be reversed, two-thirds of the council need to vote against the ban.
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