Is A Bag-Fee Policy A Step Towards Eco Friendly Shopping?

On June 1st, 2009, the bag-fee policy takes effect in Toronto and although some may say it’s a step in the right eco friendly shopping direction, I’m not so sure.   The facts about the bag-fee policy are:

• Retailers must charge a minimum of 5 cents for each plastic shopping bag requested by a shopper
• If plastic shopping bags are not available, retailers must provide a free recyclable alternative (such as a paper bag or cardboard box)
• The bag charge detailing the number of bags purchased and the total amount charged must be recorded on the receipt
• Retailers must accept the use of ANY reusable container brought in my a customer (whether it be a bag, bin, box, carrier)
• Retailers are entitled to keep the money from the plastic bag charges
• The policy also bans non-compliant bags (bags that cannot be recycled – no plastic bags with string handles or metal fittings)
• The policy also bans biodegradable plastic bags as they are not accepted by the recyclers the city deals with

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