In March, the City of Wetaskiwin temporarily suspended the Plastic Checkout Bag Ban Bylaw due to COVID-19. The suspension came after concerns from grocery stores and it’s employees about handling customer’s personal reusable bags.
“People need to get back in the habit of using reusable bags,” said Mayor Tyler Gandam at the Regular City Council meeting on June 22, 2020.
Currently most grocery stores have reintroduced reusable bags and also provide plastic bags. City council says that enforcement of the Plastic Checkout Bag Ban Bylaw 1913-18 will resume as of mid-November 2020.
The City’s Director of Emergency Management, Robert Osmond, made the decision to hold off on the enforcement of the Bylaw until after the anticipated second wave of the infection is over.
“The City’s efforts to reduce the number of single use plastic bags in Wetaskiwin remains a top priority, and we continue to strongly encourage sustainable initiatives for the long-term wellness of our community,” said Osmond. “It makes little sense, however, to begin the process of resuming enforcement of the plastic bag ban until after the second wave of infection is over.”
City of Wetaskiwin staff will reach out to local businesses in the coming weeks to ensure they aware of the City’s plans to resume enforcement of the bylaw.
Residents looking to resume using their reusable bags are encouraged to contact individual businesses directly regarding their current bag policies
shaela.dansereau@pipestoneflyer.ca
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