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The City of Regina is seeking input for its policy on single-use plastics.
The city announced Friday that it has launched an online survey at Regina.ca/plastic to get feedback from residents and businesses on the issue. The survey will be available online until Oct. 25.
“We want people’s opinions on whether we should ban the use of single-use plastics as part of our discussion about plastics and what goes to the landfill,” Mayor Michael Fougere said Friday. “We want to get the public’s perspective.”
City council has discussed the issue previously and another motion is coming forward soon.
The debate is whether to reduce the use of plastic items like bags, straws, cutlery and disposable food containers, eliminate them altogether, or do nothing.
“When I do speak with (residents) about that (topic) and they raise it, they are in favour of eliminating the use of plastics,” Fougere said.
The survey will help the city administration come up with recommendations for council on how to deal with single-use plastics. The results of the questionnaire, along with the research the administration is doing on its own, should help form the city’s response to the environmental issue.
The city’s willingness to hear from its residents on the matter is a result of the magnitude of the decision.
“This is a big change,” Fougere said. “Depending on how far we go on the elimination of plastics — whether it’s grocery stores, for example, or plastic straws — those kinds of things are a significant impact on consumers’ products and how they feel about it.
“Given the sweep of the impact, it’s important to see how people feel about that as well.”
— With files from 980 CJME’s Jessie Anton
