Nova Scotia Plastic Bag Ban to Impact Industry Jobs

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) has expressed fears that the ban on single-use plastics in Nova Scotia may likely affect local industry jobs. Furthermore, it may lead to more plastics ending up in landfills. The views were shared by Joe Hruska, the association’s vice-president of sustainability, while speaking to reporters.

The provincial administration ignored repeated pleas by the industry group to have input to the proposal before the bill is passed before the governing body. The bill was tabled so quickly that the industry leaders did not even get a chance to meet with the Minister of Environment or the Premier, Hruska noted.

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The Association presented its views before the law amendments committee on Monday. While agreeing to the fact that use of disposable grocery bags must be reduced, it called for a more broad-based approach in tackling wastes including plastic bags. The Association proposed a system in which various bags are charged on the extent of environmental footprints caused by them. Accordingly, single-use plastic bag must be charged 10 cents per bag, paper bags-30 cents per bag and reusable bags-$2.50 per bag.

The proposed ban would probably lead to the closure of Inteplast- Atlantic Canada’s largest plastic bag and films recycling plant and several similar plants, thereby resulting in job losses.