Toronto is set to become the first Canadian city to implement a divisive ban on all plastic bags.
The city’s council upheld its earlier decision to prohibit the distribution and sale of plastic bags. It is set to come into effect from January 1st 2013.
Professionals moving to Canada will need to take note that the ban refers to “single-use plastic carryout bags, including those advertised as compostable, biodegradable, photodegradable, or similar”.
Mayor Rob Ford, who has been against the idea from the outset, said that this move was counterproductive and “not a smart move”.
“You can’t tell people they can’t give out plastic bags,” he commented. “To me it’s ludicrous.”
Also against the ban is the Canadian Plastics Industry Association. Its director general, Marion Axmith, commented that they were a necessity for people living in the city.
“Torontonians rely on them for household pet and organic waste, 85 per cent of the bags are reused, [and] very few go to landfill,” he was quoted by The Star as saying.
Meanwhile, The Toronto Environmental Alliance praised the resolution, stating that it sent out a clear signal that Toronto was looking to be an “environmental leader”.
Cadogan Tate is an international removal company known for delivering expert shipping solutions for the belongings of expats.