The beautiful landscapes and coastlines of the south island are a source
of pride for many Victoria residents. Individual daily practices, however,
do not always align with values associated with protecting those natural
spaces. According to the City of Victoria’s website, residents use
approximately 17 million plastic bags per year, amounting to over 15
percent of landfill waste in the region. Attempting to combat wasteful
consumer habits the city will be implementing a single use plastic bag
ban starting July 2018, according to CBC News, British Columbia. While
the plastics industry and some retailers have voiced opposition to the ban,
in reality it is step forward in an effort keep harmful plastics out of our
natural environments and to promote more sustainable consumer habits.
Plastic bags contribute to a large portion of local and global waste. While
some single use plastic bags can be recycled, the North American statistics
of those materials actually reaching the appropriate facilities is a dismal 5
percent, according to Elaine Ritch. The reality is that many plastic bags find
their resting place in landfills, oceans, streams and lakes. Ritch quoted the
United Nations Environment Programme as stating that “there are
approximately thirteen thousand pieces of plastic waste found in every square
kilometer of sea, with higher concentrations in the garbage patches.” This has
negative consequences for marine life mistaking plastic for food, and for
drinking water into which toxins are leached. Encouraging consumers to
utilized reusable bags, or go bagless, can have an immediate impact by
reducing the number of bags needing to be recycled or ending up in landfills.
A story by CBC News highlighted that a major portion of the city’s plastic bag
ban is focused on fostering public awareness, with approximately $30,000 set
aside for educational programs. Research done by Helene Cherriere supports
this model of public policy citing that “public authorities can influence ethical
behaviour among consumers.” In today’s consumer paradigm of mass
consumption and throw-away culture it is crucial that steps be taken to shift
the public towards more sustainable practices. While the city’s plastic bag ban
is not an all encompassing solution to eliminating plastic pollution, it is certainly
a move in the right direction. Research conducted by Jennifer Clapp, which
focuses specifically on the plastic waste issue, highlights how “small steps can
add up to a larger shift in attitudes and practices concerning a specific type of
waste.”
It is apparent that waste from single use plastic bags is a major factor in the
negative impacts we have on local and global natural environments. It is also
apparent that the situation we are in is entirely avoidable. Through their plastic
bag ban bylaw, assisted by educational programs and building public
awareness, the City of Victoria is moving in the right direction of promoting
more conscious and sustainable consumer habits. Beautiful coastlines and an
abundance of natural spaces for communities to come together and enjoy are
part of what makes Victoria a special place. The next time you head out to run
errands don’t forget your reusable bags, and help keep our environment healthy
and plastic free.
References
City of Victoria. Reducing Single-use Plastic Bags. Retrieved from
http://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/residents/climate-change/single-use-plastic-bags.html
Cherrier, H. (2006). Consumer Identity and moral obligations in non-plastic bag
consumption: a dialectical perspective. International Journal of Consumer Studies,
30(5), 515-523. doi.org/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2006.00531.x
Clapp, Jennifer. (2012). The rising tide against plastic waste: Unpacking industry
attempts to influence the debate. Histories of the Dustheap: Waste, Material
Cultures, Social Justice. 199-226. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287301482_The_rising_tide_against_
plastic_waste_Unpacking_industry_attempts_to_influence_the_debate
Leblanc, R. (2018, February 28). A Quarter Century and Counting. Retrieved from
https://www.thebalance.com/plastic-bag-controversy-2877892
Pawson, C. (2017, December 17). Plastic bags no more: Victoria to implement ban
July 1. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/victoria-
plastic-bag-ban-to-start-july-1-2018-1.4453617
behaviour for sustainable development. International Journal of Consumer Studies,
33(2), 168-174. doi.org/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2009.00749.x
