Ban/Tax on Plastic Bags in Tofino?

March/April 2007

You may have been like me and first heard of the proposed ban/tax on plastic bags in Tofino on the CBC On The Island program when they interviewed local town councillor Derek Shaw. He said that Tofino was considering a proposal to ban or tax plastic bags since last year when letters were sent out to two business associations for their feedback.

Friday On The Island. Putting the plastic bags out with the trash. Tofino is just one of a number of communities in B.C. trying to find ways to reduce our dependence on them. We'll speak with councillor Derek Shaw about where the plan's at. ¹

I was excited. If the letters went out last year they must be close to a final draft of the proposal and how did I not hear about this? It's a great idea that has proved itself in other countries, with Ireland as the shining example for westerners. On 2 April, a Leaf Rapids, Manitoba will become the first municipality in North America to ban plastic bags.

Tofino Municipal Office
I called the Tofino municipal office to learn more. There really was no more to learn. the only documentation that exists seems to be the letter sent to the two associations and a reply from one of them. I asked for copies to be emailed to me.

Letter from the District of Tofino Council to the TLB Chamber and the TBA.

Reply from the TBA.

Minutes of the District of Tofino regarding the Plastic Bag Program.

I then emailed Councillor Shaw asking for more information and am awaiting his reply.

The Chamber
Next I called the Chamber to see what was happening. Since I am a member I wondered why I hadn't heard about this issue, but I had been away and perhaps they addressed it while I was gone. Sure enough, that's what happened. The Chamber Directors approved the plan in their last meeting. I spoke with one of the directors who assured me that the Chamber stands behind the proposal. to quote the 9 February 2007 Minutes of the chamber meeting: 'We support the initiative of retailers not providing free [plastic] bags and encourage the use of biodegradable or reusable bags.' They are in the midst of sending their feedback and recommendations to the Council.

The issue for some seems to be whether it should be a total ban or a tax.

Councillor Shaw
Councillor Shaw has sent me an email outlining his plans for the proposal and I am encouraged by his ideas. To paraphrase his email he feels that either a ban or a tax on non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags in Tofino is appropriate. Revenue generated by a tax would be used to support recycling and education about the harm done by plastics and other products that not only are harmful in their creation but in their disposal. He feels that momentum is high with the Leaf Rapids and San Francisco bans brought forward this year. He also believes that a grass roots show of support would be very helpful.

Me
I must admit, I would chose a ban over a tax. Residents and visitors alike can help Tofino get on track and make sure that the reason we live/visit this beautiful, natural and sacred environment stays intact. Let it not be on our watch that we drop the ball and have local wildlife and future generations suffer from our mistakes.

I have a problem with people who say that plastic is organic. Plastic is not organic. It may be made from petroluem which is organic but the process of making plastic creates a dangerous synthetic material that is not organic. It will not break down into anything eco-friendly. It will not naturally return to it's initial earthly state.

What You Can Do As a Resident or As A Visitor
Let the District of Tofino know that you would support a ban/tax on plastic bags within our municipality. Residents and visitors can both make a difference an help our community do the right thing. Send your thoughts to Tofino Council. It is not important that you be a brilliant writer or go into great lengths in your email — unless you are and you like to go to great lengths — the important thing is that you send an email and let Council know your feelings. We may not be able to effect national policy but at a local level our voices are not so much a cry in the wilderness.

J.McDowell, GoTofino.com

¹ On The Island Website 30/03/2007

Two Groovy Tips on Shopping Bags

Tip 1: Be Cool. Brings your own bags when you shop.

Tip 2: Not just the big outer bags but the small bags for vegetables and fruit. Save any small thin plastic bags you collect and reuse them for your fruits, veggies and anything else where bags are needed for your shopping.

We Support a Ban on Plastic Dog Litter Bags and Plastic Garbage Bags

GoTofino supports the initiative to ban non reusable plastic bags from Tofino. We would support an even further proposal that would ban plastic dog litter bags and garbage bags from use. Biodegradable bags can be used for both those purposes.
Note: Corn bags are now available free at the entrances to the beaches to use for dog litter.

And we put our money where we put our beliefs. We live here because we love the beauty of this natural environment.
GoTofino buys and uses Ecosafe biodegradable bags for both our dogs and our garbage.

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