Saanich is moving towards banning single-use plastic bags.

B次元官网网址淭his is an important step,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Susan Brice, before council voted to send a bylaw to said effect to two committees for review prior to council consideration. B次元官网网址淚t is certainly not the end. It is the beginning of a dialogue and an engagement that will have to involve the greater community, because that what [Capital Regional District] staff found has been successful in other cities where there has been broad buy-in and broad engagement from all the stakeholders.B次元官网网址�

SaanichB次元官网网址檚 proposed bylaw which envisions phasing out plastic bags will now go before to the environment and natural areas advisory committee, as well as the planning, transportation and economic development advisory committee for input and public engagement.

Brice B次元官网网址� who had tabled a notice a motion last month - said interest in banning single-use plastic bags has been building for many years across the Greater Victoria region thanks to the work of students like Charlotte Brady and Anastasia Castro of Glenlyon Norfolk School In a way, the proposed ban builds on the B次元官网网址渆xemplary workB次元官网网址� of retailers, who have been trying to B次元官网网址渨eanB次元官网网址� the public off this B次元官网网址渉andy, but environmentally deleteriousB次元官网网址� product.

BriceB次元官网网址檚 colleagues praised her efforts in citing the various environmental harm that plastic bags cause.

B次元官网网址淭his is not draconian,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Colin Plant, pointing to various exemptions. B次元官网网址淭his is a step in the right direction.B次元官网网址�

Coun. Fred Haynes praised the proposed ban, but added that he would like to see Saanich go further in eventually eliminating said exemptions. The model bylaw B次元官网网址� that will be the basis of SaanichB次元官网网址檚 bylaw B次元官网网址� allows plastic bags for the hygenic storage of bulk items such as fruit, vegetables and nuts, as well as frozen foods, meat or fish.

Historically, merchants used to wrap food in paper, said Haynes. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 an appropriate way to go in the future, but we arenB次元官网网址檛 ready yet,B次元官网网址� he said.

The report also fails to address other kinds of plastics. B次元官网网址淓ventually, they will come,B次元官网网址� he said.

Coun. Dean Murdock and Coun. Judy Brownoff meanwhile predicted that SaanichB次元官网网址檚 move will send an example for other communities to follow.

The time-frame of SaanichB次元官网网址檚 move remains uncertain. Plant hoped that Saanich council could approve the ban by end of its term.