Montreal implemented its long-planned ban on plastic bags on Monday, making it the first major Canadian city to do so. City officials say the ban is intended to encourage people to move away from single-use products and to adopt reuseable bags. Thicker plastic bags, paper bags and cardboard boxes will also be allowed. Victoria has also announced its intention to ban plastic bags beginning in July 2018, while Vancouver is mulling the issue. The Canadian Plastics Industry Association’s website argues that most shopping bags are reused and recycled, and that other measures to reduce the number of plastic bags have already been successful.

Source: National Post January 01, 2018 16:41 UTC