Montreal’s bag ban comes into effect

But merchants have a six-month grace period

Montreal implemented its longplanned ban on plastic bags on Monday, making it the first major Canadian city to do so.

Toronto council proposed a ban beginning in 2013, but reversed its decision in November 2012.

Montreal’s ban covers the distribution of lightweight plastic bags with a thickness of less than 50 microns as well as biodegradable bags, which contain an additive that causes them to decompose in heat and light.

There is an exception for the thin bags that are used in grocery stores to transport fruit and vegetables to the cash register or to wrap up meat.

City officials say lost or abandoned plastic bags are a visual nuisance that cause considerable harm to terrestrial and marine ecosystems and often end up in landfills.

“We use roughly 2 billion of these bags annually and only 14 per cent are reintegrated in recycling plants,” said Jean-François Parenteau, the city council member responsible for the environment.

Former mayor Denis Coderre announced the ban in February 2016, and city council adopted the resolution in August.

Parenteau said that has given merchants plenty of time to prepare.

“As (they knew) the regulation was coming, the bag orders in big chains were already made for some time, so they are ready to respond on Jan. 1,” he said in a recent phone interview.

City officials say the ban is intended to encourage people to move away from single-use products and to adopt reuseable bags. Thicker plastic bags, paper bags and boxes will also be allowed.

While the measure comes into effect on New Year’s Day, merchants have a six-month grace period to comply with the new rules. After June 5, they could face fines of up to $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a corporation for a first offence.

Retail and plastic industry advocates have opposed the bans, arguing they are unnecessary.