News from the provincial government that it plans to allow municipalities to ban certain types of plastic products is being welcomed in Whistler.
“I’m both relieved and excited,” said Councillor Arthur De Jong, who has advocated for the change since being elected in 2018.
“The door is finally opening.”
In a Sept. 12 release, minister of environment and climate change strategy George Heyman announced the province is moving to approve bylaws banning single-use plastics in Richmond, Victoria, Saanich, Tofino and Ucluelet, and will consider others as they are submitted.
The government is also proposing a new regulation under the Community Charter to allow local governments to ban single-use plastic like shopping bags, plastic straws and polystyrene foam take-out containers without requiring provincial approval.
What a plastic ban looks like on the ground in Whistler, or when it might be introduced, remains to be seen, but local officials will look to glean advice from the communities who have experienced the process so far, De Jong said.
“We do need to work with the business community, as to how do we be as practical as possible with our guests so that they can follow our bylaw, and I think that’s one area that we will explore with our retail community, and grocery stores and whatnot,” De Jong said, adding that paper bags aren’t the answer, as they actually have a more significant carbon footprint than their plastic counterpart.
“So there’s things that we need to do to ensure systems are in place … so that we can make it work for both guests and staff.”
While there will no doubt be some sticking points in banning single-use plastic, De Jong believes the community is ready for it.
He often converses with the frontline staff at the liquor and grocery stores, many of who are familiar with the locals.
“My favourite question is, ‘so, how many locals are still using single-use plastics?’ and without fail what I’ve heard is roughly 90 per cent aren’t. They are bringing in their own reusable bags,” De Jong said.
“So the community is waiting for us, I believe, to pass a bylaw on this.”
