Aurora to battle single-use plastics, 1 straw at a time

Town staff recommends implementing an offer-first policy when it comes to single-use straws at town facilities, events

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 18, 2019
Teresa Latchford

An Aurora resident believes avoiding the use of plastic straws is a good way to start heading toward a ban on single-use plastics.

It has been more than a year since Ariana Dalie stood in council chambers on behalf of Straw Free Aurora asking elected officials to ban single-use plastic straws in Aurora and couldn’t be more thrilled that the town has finally produced a recommendation that could kick start the elimination of single-use plastics in the municipality.

“I am happy the town is recognizing that people in our community want this to happen,” she said referring to the petition for the ban she submitted with over 800 signatures in support. “It doesn’t matter who does what as long as it moves forward and if we start small, it will gain momentum.”

A recent discussion paper released by the province states almost 10,000 tons of plastic debris enter the Great Lakes annually and more than 80 per cent of litter collected during volunteer cleanups is plastic. The provincial blue box program only recovered 28 per cent of all plastic packaging generated in 2017, with the remaining going to landfills or becoming litter. Much of that is straws, cutlery, takeout containers and shopping bags.

Both the provincial and federal governments have made commitments to ban single-use plastics as early as 2021 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and Bill 82, Single-Use Plastics Ban Act, 2019, which recently passed first reading at the Ontario Legislature.

With all levels of government moving to ban single-use plastic products within the waste stream, Aurora is no exception.

Following a deputation from Straw Free Aurora in September 2018, town council directed staff to explore the banning of plastic straws.

“Aurora should implement an offer-first policy, where a plastic straw is offered when required, rather than be automatically given at all town facilities and town-run special events,” Energy and Climate Change analyst Natalie Kehle wrote in a staff report presented to council earlier this week. “This would reduce waste while ensuring that straws are available for those who need them.”

The greatest stumbling block in banning single-use straws is accessibility, she added. People with a range of disabilities depend on plastic straws to access water and the compostable options do not maintain their integrity and the metal or glass options aren’t soft enough for some. Silicone straws are the only alternative listed by Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the report points out they are not a practical option for users or providers.

“Banning plastic straws will disadvantage people with disabilities,” she said.

The report also suggests council support the federal and provincial governments’ waste initiatives and that the report be forwarded to both.

Council is set to make its final decision on the offer-first policy at the next council meeting.

How do I do my part?

It can be overwhelming when you begin to think about the amount of plastic used in just one day but one change at a time can help a household significantly reduce plastic use. Here’s where to start:

Plastic bags -- use reusable bags when shopping and purchase a set of reusable mesh produce bags to avoid using the ones on the rolls at grocery stores.

Containers -- opt to buy bulk foods like spices, pasta and cereal and bring reusable containers with you to fill up. Bring your own container for left overs when eating at a restaurant. Many grocers and butchers will entertain filling the container you brought with you if asked.

Straws and cutlery -- invest in reusable straws and a set of cutlery and inform waiters or take out servers you wish to use your own.

Beverages -- use a reusable water bottle and bring a takeout mug to your coffee shop.

Lunch -- use reusable containers, bags and wraps to pack your lunch. Consider swapping plastic for glass.

Buy fresh -- try to purchase fresh food as much as possible since frozen food is often wrapped in plastic.

Cleaning -- make your own cleaning solutions in glass bottles to avoid plastic containers.