WHEREAS recycling has become a major issue within the province; and

WHEREAS the cost of recycling plastic grocery bags has become quite high with no refund; and

WHEREAS they are hard to control at transfer sites and are very messy;

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM ask the Provincial Government to ban the use of plastic grocery bags in the province.

Response from Honourable Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister of Environment:

Banning the use of plastic shopping bags is not being contemplated at this time. A number of retail outlets operate their own collection and recycling programs if the customers bring the bags back to the store. Retailers are also active in promoting the use of reusable shopping bags available for a nominal fee at their stores. In addition, it is anticipated that some plastic shopping bags, as well as other types of plastic packaging, will end up being captured and recycled under the province's pending MMRP although plastic bags are not required to be included in the program at this time.

View updated response dated June 6, 2017 from the Ministry of Environment