COURTENAY, B.C. – In time, plastic bags could be nonexistent in the Comox Valley.
Earlier this month, the Comox Valley Nurses for Health and the Environment presented to Comox council, asking for a ban of plastic bags, and possibly other plastic packaging within the town.
RELATED: Valley group asking for plastic bag ban
The Village of Cumberland has already introduced the banning of plastic bags, with the goal being to reduce plastic pollution in the Valley.
Cumberland has taken a phased approach. Effective this July, plastic grocery bags and straws will not be allowed in the village.
Now, the Courtenay’s mayor is weighing in on the issue.
Bob Wells said at last Monday’s council meeting that councilors will “absolutely look at it (a plastic bag ban)”, and they are curious about different options.
“I think it’s certainly something whose time has come. How it happens, that’s the bigger question,” Wells told MyComoxValleyNow.com.
“To me, we do want to get that industry input, we want to talk to the major distributors of those plastic bags locally, those stores that are giving them to their customers, or selling them, as it may be, and looking to see what those options are, and of course what the exceptions are as well.”
Wells noted that council has not asked for a staff report on a potential plastic bag ban yet. He said the issue would come back to council in the future.
Wells added that if people have any questions or comments, they can reach out through the city’s website, or contact him directly.
