as more b.c. communities pass resolutions concerning single-use plastic, the provincial government is seeking input from the public on the matter.
"The message from British Columbians is loud and clear—we need to take action to reduce plastic waste, especially single-use items like water bottles and plastic bags that often find their way into our waters, streets and environment," said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, in a release.
The government is proposing action in four areas: bans on single-use packaging; dramatically reducing single-use plastics in landfills and waterways; expanding the deposit-refund system to cover all beverage containers; and reducing plastic waste overall.
British Columbians can weigh in at cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/plastics until September 18 at 4 p.m.
Four B.C. communities that have passed resolutions concerning eliminating single-use plastic—Victoria, Rossland, Squamish and Tofino—issued a joint release praising the province's direction.
"As mayors of communities that are taking a leadership role to reduce single-use plastics, we are delighted to see the province launch a consultation period to hear from British Columbians on this important issue," the joint statement said in part.
"We are keen to work with the provincial government to establish a clear role for local governments, our residents and businesses to move towards a sustainable, zero-waste economy and environment."
The provincial consultation follows a June announcement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laying the groundwork for a federal ban on single-use plastics as early as 2021.
At the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), staff are monitoring other communities and "continue to work to navigate next steps," a spokesperson said in an email.
"The municipality continues to encourage the community and visitors to be active in waste reduction, particularly around single-use plastics."
Said Mayor Jack Crompton: "It's something we're paying extremely close attention to."
Following Trudeau's announcement, Whistler Councillor Arthur De Jong—who oversees the RMOW's environment portfolio—said he expects a community ban to be formalized by the end of the summer.
"Whistler is beginning to look as a bit of a laggard on banning single-use plastic. We are not a laggard; we are a leader," De Jong said on June 11. "It's time to move on this."
