In a win for a zero-waste future, Whistler is targeting early 2023 for a ban on single-use plastics. Following a Provincial amendment to the Local Government Act, municipalities in B.C. are now able to institute bans on plastic bags, straws, and other single-use plastic items without needing provincial approval.

Councillor Arthur De Jong clarified that banning single-use plastics was not going to be done overnight in Whistler, but rather as part of a comprehensive zero-waste plan. The plan, soon to be proposed by the RMOW Zero Waste Select Committee to the mayor and council, will be developed while engaging with the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.

Plastic pollution is a major problem in Canada. Canadians throw out 15 billion plastic bags every year, and up to 57 million plastic straws are used and discarded daily. In an effort to tackle this waste, the federal government is developing a comprehensive plan to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030.

This change in provincial legislation is just one part of our province’s CleanBC Plastics Action Plan. AWARE will continue to push for and support these changes as a part of making Whistler zero-waste as soon as possible.