Makkovik, Postville to eliminate plastic shopping bags

Two towns on Labrador's north coast will soon receive assistancefrom the Newfoundland and Labrador government to eliminate plastic shopping bags.

Last week, the province announced ninerecipients of this year's Community Waste Diversion Fund, includingMakkovikandPostville.

Wedon't even think about plastic bags here anymore.- Joe Dicker, NainAngajukKaK

The funds will be used todistribute reusable bags to residents, and toeducatecommunity membersabout responsible waste management.

In 2009, Nain became the first community in the province to ban plastic shopping bags.

In an interview with Labrador Morning, NainAngajukKaK Joe Dicker said residents have adjusted well to the change since the bylaw was brought in almost six years ago.

"The community was given a grace period of about a month, and on Nov. 30, 2009 it became effective," he said.

"It was having an impact on the wildlife, it's not environmentally-friendly,it costs a lot to clean upin the springtime. And the community government at the time decided they would do something about it."

'Everything's clean'

Dicker said every spring before the bylaw came into effect,plastic bags were visible, and became a real eyesore.

"Wedon't even think about plastic bags here anymore. You can see the difference especially in the spring time when it's time for clean up, and there are no bags to clean up. Everything's clean," said Dicker.

"People are using paper boxes to carry their groceries, all the businesses provide bags for sale now. At the beginning, the Nain Inuit community government had bags available for free, two per household,and they were sponsored by some of the businesses in the community."

Dicker saiddelivery services are also available from localbusinesses.

"Itwas a positive thing and is still going on today, " he said.

Dicker said there's an exemption to certain bags, including the clear kind that residents can use forfruitand vegetables,ice and fresh meat. Those bags are available at stores in Nain.

Now that Postville and Makkovik are moving in the same direction as Nain did in 2009, Dicker had some advice for local councils.

"Give them a grace period so they can start adjusting to it, and makesure they do have time to adjust to the new way of shopping. Make sure they have cloth bags or bags they can carry, available for free for a certain period of time."

A plastic bag ban was put in placein the community ofHopedaleonJan. 2,2013.