REGINA — Regina residents are being reminded to stock up on reusable bags for their next grocery shop, as the city’s approved ban on plastic shopping bags will come into effect soon.
The Plastic Checkout Bag Ban Bylaw was approved by city council on July 29, 2020, and will come into full force in the Queen City on Feb. 1, after pandemic delays last year.
The new bylaw applies to all retail and food service businesses, prohibiting them from using or selling plastic checkout bags, including biodegradable plastic. It also says businesses can not deny customers who want to use a reusable container or bag.
Some exceptions will be made, said the city, as the bylaw targets specifically plastic bags used at checkout.
Bags used in other parts of stores, like for fruits and veggies or wrapped flowers, will still be allowed. Some businesses will also be cleared to continue using plastic bags to wrap around products for protection, like dry cleaners.
Fines under the new bylaw for providing plastic bags to customers could total $100 on first offence and up to $500 for a third offence for individuals, and between $500 and $10,000 for businesses.
During discussion of the bylaw, the city cited a desire to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the municipal landfill to extend its lifespan for use.
A report estimated that Regina residents use millions of single-use plastic bags each year, many of which are not reused and instead end up in the city landfill or wrongly recycled.
“This ban will eliminate the excess from our community,” said the city, in a statement.
The reduction of plastic use is an issue supported by the public, said the city, and a step towards Regina’s pledge to be a completely renewable city by 2050.
A public engagement survey of residents completed prior to the bylaw’s approval spoke to more than 10,000 people in Regina, showing that 77 per cent of respondents said the reduction of plastic items is an important issue.
Regina is the second jurisdiction in Saskatchewan to implement a ban on plastic bags, following the city of Prince Albert in October of 2021.
