EDITORIAL – Learning to live without plastic straws and grocery bags

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

IT’S AMAZING how we’re able to adapt to changes we insisted we’d never be able to adapt to.

It took a few decades but we’re weaning ourselves off single-use plastics quite nicely. A Research Co. poll shows most British Columbians are happy to see the end of plastic checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, plastic cutlery and food takeout containers.

Seventy-one per cent of them, in fact. This, despite a Federal Court ruling late last year that overturned federal government legislation that had enabled the banning of such products.

Canadians are demonstrating they don’t always need the courts to determine behaviour. Half of British Columbians are taking shorter showers and making sure the dishwasher and washing machine are full before running them.

These are amazing numbers. It wasn’t long ago that we were refusing to swish and squish, or to separate our recyclables at transfer stations. And we just couldn’t be bothered to bring re-usable bags to the grocery store.

Speaking of which, I do have a bit of a problem. I can’t seem to remember to bring those bags. Either I leave them at home or forget them in the vehicle when I go into the store. But, no complaints — I’m learning to carry my purchases out of the store without a bag.

I’m sure I’ll get the hang of the new way of doing things, and I don’t resent for a moment not receiving those plastic bags that were so handy for collecting the cat litter.

We still have some distance to go, energy- and environment-wise. The survey says few of us unplug electric devices when not in use. I confess the TV stays plugged in at all times, as does the desktop computer and the printer.

And the fact remains that only nine per cent of plastic waste is recycled, but there’s much to be pleased about on the plastic bag front — we’re heading in the right direction.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor.  He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.