Walmart plastic bag fee applauded by Island Waste Management, but some shoppers skeptical

Island Waste Management Corporation is applauding Walmart's move to start charging five cents for plastic bags, but some customers aren't convinced.

• Walmart to charge 5 cents for plastic bags in Maritime stores

Walmartwill start charging five cents for a bag in its Maritimes stores on Oct. 17.

The company says the five-cent bags will be 25 per cent thicker and 25 per cent bigger than the thin disposable bags currently provided for free as part of a multi-year effort to eventually reduce all food and plastic waste at its stores to zero.

"We're asking customers to change their habits," said Alex Roberton, senior director of corporate affairs for WalmartCanada. "The environmental ethic in the Maritimes has deep roots. We think Maritimers are ready."

For the next few monthsWalmart will also sell a sturdy re-usable tote bag for 25 cents.

'A good thing,' says Island Waste Management

Island Waste Management predicts that will lead to a 15 to 20 per cent reduction in plastic bag waste.

"Anytime that any organization can implement programs to encourage people to re-use and not use new materials, I think is a good thing," saidGerry Moore, CEO ofIsland Waste Management Corporation.

Some shoppers skeptical, others supportive

But in the Walmart parking lot on Wednesday,shoppers offered a mixed bag of opinions.

"I don't like it and I'll probably go somewhere else," said John Ferguson.

"Little bit of an overkill, wouldn't you think?" said Frank Clark. "I don't think they need to charge for bags."

"I always carry a cloth bag in my car," said FrankDuguay: "It's a matter of remembering to take it in."

"We've been paying for our plastic bags for a long time now," said Dawn Klok, a tourist from Australia. "I think you can't do anything better because the ocean's just full of plastic."

Recycling bags costly

One of Walmart's competitors on P.E.I., Atlantic Superstores, started charging for plastic bags a few years ago, but discontinued the practice.

Island Waste Management Corporation says waste plastic was significantly reduced while the fee was being charged.

"It reduced plastic bag waste we were shippedoff Islandby about 15 to 20 tractor trailer loads a year," said Moore.

Moore said recycling of plastic bags is costly, and corporation often has to store the bags in heavybailed bundles for extended periods while seeking overseas buyers.

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