Vancouver plans to limit plastic garbage

Vancouver is the latest city in Canada to stir up opposition to plastic drinking straws, but it’s not calling for an outright ban.

Instead, they would be optional under the city’s proposals, so servers would ask customers whether they want a straw with their cocktails.

Vancouver decided against abolishing straws because some people need them to drink, said Albert Shamess, the city’s director of waste management and resource recovery.

“We heard loud and clear from the disabled community that a ban would not facilitate their needs. We’ve also heard from other health services providers that it’s important to them to have access to the plastic straws as well,” Shamess said.

“Over time, I think there will be a change in the types of straws that are available and the types of materials that they’re made of.”

The proposal is part of a strategy to cut down on plastic and Styrofoam waste, which also includes restrictions on plastic bags, takeout containers and disposable cups. The strategy will be considered by council in May.

The city says it costs about $2.5 million per year to collect single-use items from public green spaces and waste bins. Plastic straws and stir sticks make up about three per cent of shoreline litter in Vancouver, while Canadians throw out about 57 million straws every day, it says.

Vancouver’s plan follows other cities that have taken aim at plastic waste. Victoria is set to ban plastic shopping bags in July, after Montreal abolished them in January.