A movement that started in Leaf Rapids, Manitoba has now spread across the entire globe. In April 2007, the tiny Canadian town, population 539, issued the first North American ban on the use of plastic shopping bags. Since that time, communities and businesses across Canada and the United States have been following the example of this "little town that could" and are saying goodbye to this environmental menace.

In Fredericton, despite the city's reputation as an environmental leader, thousands of plastic bags continue to leave stores each and everyday. Plans are currently being formulated through Green Matters, the city's environmental awareness campaign, but at this point, no community plan is in place.

"A lot of local businesses are interested in moving away from plastic bags and are interested in doing so in co-operation with the city's Green Matters program," said Taylor Gray, spokesperson for the campaign. "We're currently working on our new program for Green Matters that will hopefully come out in the fall as a partnership with local businesses."

The city feels a complete ban on the use of plastic bags isn't the right move for the community at this point.

"The first goal isn't necessarily a ban, but what we would like to see is the discontinued use of plastic bags, so our first effort is going to be in partnership with local businesses. A ban would require a bylaw, and that bylaw would then have to be enforced. We feel that because of Fredericton's size and the amount of community awareness that exists here, it's very possible that a voluntary ban could succeed."

According to Taylor, both the city's independent businesses and its larger chain stores are ready to make the move, but are waiting for an official program to be launched.

"We're getting a lot of interest from both sides," he said. "Several businesses are interested in following a move by Green Matters and being part of a sweep, citywide. Most of the larger chains are already offering reusable bags now. I know Sobeys and the Super Store offer a reusable option and the Home Depot is starting to get in on it as well by offering customers the option of reusable verses plastic."

The numbers that appear in relation to plastic bags are staggering. According to one source, it takes 12 million barrels of oil to manufacture 100 billion plastic bags, which is how many are used in the U.S. alone each year. The number worldwide has been estimated at between 500 billion and one trillion plastic bags manufactured annually.

Prior to enforcing their own ban, liquor stores in Ontario estimated their own use of plastic bags at close to 80 million. New Brunswick liquor stores are still using plastic bags. A spokesperson for NB Liquor could not be reached at the time of this article to comment on whether or not plans are in the works to phase out their use.

Despite the staggering numbers, The Canadian Plastics Industry Association has launched its own campaign in defense of the bags and their common uses. Their website www.myplasticbags.ca promotes their use through statements like, "The industry believes that plastic shopping bags are a valuable resource that should not be thrown away. Used primarily as carry-out bags, they provide a safe, convenient and hygienic way to transport our groceries. And they can be reused in many ways and then recycled into other products."

Communities all across the province are beginning to take a stronger environmental stance on many issues in an attempt to educate residents on reducing their individual consumption of all non-reusable goods. Moncton and Saint John are among several other N.B. communities that are taking a more active role in environmental issues. Both these cities provide information on their websites about the programs they have in place. To learn more about how you can make a difference in your own community, contact your local municipality directly, to find out what programs are in place and how you can get involved.

http://www.worldscrap.com/modules/news/article.php?aid=8430