News Release

For immediate release
May 9, 2007

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT TARGETS 50 PER CENT REDUCTION IN PLASTIC BAG USE BY 2012
Part Of McGuinty Government's Initiatives For A Greener, Healthier Ontario

TORONTO — The McGuinty government has struck a deal with industry leaders to markedly reduce the number of plastic bags distributed in Ontario over the next five years.

The Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD), the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG), the Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO), the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) have all agreed to the deal brokered by Ontario Environment Minister Laurel Broten, it was announced today. 

“It’s very encouraging that industry is ready and willing to take on this challenge publicly and work with us to dramatically reduce, re-use and recycle more in Ontario,” said Broten. “Ontarians use almost 80 plastic bags per second – that’s close to seven million bags every day. Reducing the volume of plastic bags that end up in landfills is a top priority for us,” she added.  

The pact includes commitments to a goal to reduce the use of plastic bags by 50 per cent in five years; consideration of in-store and Blue Box recycling programs for Ontario stores and consumer education initiatives to promote the reduction, reuse and recycling of bags already in circulation.  The program also includes annual monitoring and reporting to ensure progress is made. 

“Independent grocers are an integral part of Ontario communities and that’s why we support this co-operative initiative,” said John Scott, President and CEO of CFIG. “It will get more bags out of landfills and see less litter on our neighbourhood streets.”
 
 “Our members believe it is our responsibility to our communities, our customers and our environment to achieve the goals of this partnership, and we look forward to working collaboratively with the government and all retailers across Ontario on developing a sustainable plan to achieve this target,” said Dave Wilkes, Senior Vice President of CCGD and Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of RCC.  They noted as well that many members of both grocery and retail organizations have shown leadership in offering environmentally friendly alternatives, and have already accepted the responsibility and shown leadership in providing reusable carry out bags to consumers. 

“This is more than an issue of just plastic bags. It is another critical step forward in changing how we produce, use, reuse and recycle products and packaging. While the goal is to reduce plastic bag waste ultimately we want to use initiatives like this to change our collective behavior to reduce waste in Ontario,” said Jo-Anne St. Godard, Executive Director of the RCO. “This goal of 50 per cent reduction within five years calls for a collaborative, systematic approach to reducing waste.”

To support the work of the partnership, the government will fund research into overarching packaging issues as well as the specific issue of plastic bags.  The Association of Municipal Recycling Coordinators and the Clean Air Foundation will lead research projects. This research will help to ensure a sound foundation of information on which to build a more comprehensive packaging plan for the future.

The partnership will build on existing programs with industry knowledge and expertise, continuing the work that started with the Sault Ste. Marie reusable bag program, a partnership between the province, the city, RCO and city retailers.

“Having the government, industry and environmental organizations working cooperatively on shared goals at the same table is an important step forward,” said Broten.  “Many businesses have already taken on the challenge of developing environmental initiatives in this area.   More needs to be done, and if continued progress is not shown, I will deal with this issue through regulation.”

All Ontarians have a role to play in making our province greener. The government has already taken action by protecting a greenbelt that stretches across southern Ontario from development, introducing tough new laws that protect our drinking water, producing more renewable energy and doing more to conserve electricity. But we know more needs to be done.  That’s why our next step will be the announcement of a climate change plan - a step that will help all Ontarians do their part to make our province cleaner and greener while keeping the economy strong.

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Backgrounders:

• Government And Industry Seal Deal On Comprehensive Plan On Plastic Bags
  

 

For further information:
John Steele Communications Branch 416-314-6666	Anne O’Hagan Minister Broten’s Office 416-325-5809
Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ene.gov.on.ca

 

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