The City of Kingston is seeking input from businesses and residents as it considers regulating retail single-use plastic bags and polystyrene take-out containers.
Any regulations regarding single-use items would directly impact both chain and independent businesses and restaurants along with other user groups, so the City is encouraging business owners and managers to complete the survey at GetInvolved.CityofKingston.ca by February 12 at 4pm.
“It’s time to stop producing needless waste,” said Paul MacLatchy, Environment Director. “There is no doubt these items are convenient, but they generate huge amounts of waste – along with the greenhouse gases and other environmental impacts associated with managing that waste.”
The survey seeks input on proposed timelines for phasing out single-use retail plastic bags and polystyrene take-out containers as well as potential exemptions and alternatives. Feedback will influence a report that will go to the Environment, Infrastructure and Transportation Policies Committee mid-2020.
According to the City, council directed staff last summer to “report back on the results of a public engagement and offer a recommendation regarding the implementation of a potential bylaw, including the estimated financial impact to implement and enforce a ban.”
It also notes that in 2019, the Government of Canada also announced plans to reduce plastic waste.
