Brossard unanimously adopts bylaw banning plastic bags

BROSSARD – Plastic bags will soon be a thing of the past in the south shore municipality of Brossard.

Despite fierce opposition from the retail and plastic bag industry, the South Shore city’s council unanimously adopted a bylaw banning plastic bags on Tuesday night.

The total ban will take effect on Sept. 1, and retailers could face fines if they don’t comply.

READ MORE: Plastic industry wants Brossard to back off proposed shopping bag ban

“There will be penalties as in any bylaw that you would go against,” said Councillor Alexandre Plante.

“But our idea is not to go start giving out tickets, we want to work with shop owners to find solutions.”

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The plastic bag industry is clearly in mourning.

“It’s like a funeral,” said Marc Robitaille, president of Omniplast and spokesperson for the plastic bag industry.

“Basically, the message that is given by the City of Brossard is that ‘we don’t like plastic so we’re going to shut down your industry.'”

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The industry calls the move away from plastic a disastrous one for the environment and the local economy.

READ MORE: Retailers urge Brossard to back down on plastic bag ban

However, many environmentalists don’t buy the industry’s argument that the alternative, paper and reusable bags, are worse.

“There should be a phasing out of plastic bags in the world and that’s what’s going on in Brossard,” said Karel Ménard of the Front common Québécois pour une gestion écologique des déchets.

“They should be proud of themselves.”