(Montreal) Montrealers who have not yet got into the habit of dragging their reusable bags may have a bad surprise when they arrive at the checkout of their favorite shops, since disposable plastic bags have been officially banned since Tuesday in The city.
Posted at 12:31 p.m.
Announced last year by Mayor Valérie Plante, the measure aimed at abolishing single-use plastic objects is gradually coming into effect. Starting with the bag ban this Tuesday, then many other items will follow next March, including plates, containers and lids, cups or glasses, straws and utensils.
As for plastic bags, the ban applies to all types, whether biodegradable, compostable or non-degradable. Exceptions remain, however, for bags used for the hygienic transport of foodstuffs within a business.
The ban applies to all retail businesses as well as to all catering businesses in all boroughs.
By violating the regulations, people are exposed to fines varying between $200 and $1,000 for a first offense or $300 and $2,000 for a repeat offence. In the case of a legal entity, the fines can vary between $400 and $2,000 for a first offense or $500 and $4,000 for a repeat offence.
According to data provided by the Montreal Metropolitan Community, it was estimated a few years ago that approximately two billion shopping bags, mainly made of plastic, were distributed each year in Quebec. Given the demographic weight of Montreal, its share of bags is obviously very heavy.
At the federal level, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced last June that Canada would gradually ban, starting in December, the manufacture, sale and import of take-out containers, stir sticks, retail, cutlery and most straws.
Rings used to hold beverage cans or bottles together will be banned from manufacture and import in June 2023, then from sale in June 2024. Exports of all of these products are due to end in December 2025. A group of manufacturers are challenging however this regulation in court.