Bags of convenience

It seems the plastic grocery bags can take an estimated 300 to 400 years to biodegrade. (Too bad we can’t somehow use them to build our bridges and overpasses that seem to have a much shorter shelf-life). The Town of Huntingdon has taken matters into its own hands and has banned these non-environmentally friendly items in their jurisdiction as part of an overall effort to reduce ‘garbage’ going into landfills that should instead be recycled, composted or re-used. We give them credit for moving on an important environmental matter much faster than our provincial or federal government ever seem to react.

Banning plastic grocery bags from one municipality to another, however, is simply not the answer, especially if none of the major cities, like Montreal or Laval, follow suit. A solution should be found at the provincial level. Earlier this summer there was speculation that Quebec might consider adding a 20-cent tax on plastic shopping bags to discourage their use. A plastic-bag tax might be more efficient than trying to enforce a ban. However, if either step is taken, Quebec needs to do a better public-awareness job promoting re-usable bags. Or, it should adopt a deadline for retailers to come up with environmentally-friendly alternatives.

There are 100 per cent biodegradable bags made from corn, corn resin, and cornstarch available, but at 15 cents per bag, grocery stores are unlikely to choose them over the two-cent all-plastic bags currently in use. Those reusable carry-all bags made of everything from canvas to recycled plastic bottles — usually available for about a loonie each at major grocery chains — seem to be all the rage. Now, we just need to make sure we remember they’re in the trunk the next time we go shopping.?