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Written by Liz Benneian
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Join the Plastic Bag Campaign
 It may seem like a little thing but it's not. Plastic bags, those flimsy, disposable carriers that we barely give a thought to, pose a serious hazard to our environment, wildlife and human health.
More than 100 industrial chemicals can be found in plastic, all of which create a toxic stew as they break down or if they're burned in incinerators. Many of these chemicals have been linked to cancer, endocrine disorders and other health issues.
As well, plastic bags are a significant danger to wildlife with 1 million seabirds, 100,000 marine mammals and countless fish dying each year after ingesting them or being caught up in them. Plastic residue and garbage is collecting in huge "dead zones" in our oceans. They are clogging sewage systems and creating and ugly mess and they litter communities all around the world.
Worldwide a trillion (1 000 000 000 000) plastic bags are used and disposed each year. In Oakville, we use 87,500 of these bags each day - that's 31,850,000 a year.
It's time something was done about them. Many communities and countries have either banned them or put a price tag on them to encourage shoppers to use reusable bags.
We think the time is right for us to move in that direction.
A number of Oakvillegreen members have stepped forward to form a Plastic Bag committee. For now, they are concentrating on education and have a strategy in place to raise public awareness about the cost of these "free" plastic bags. Look around Town and you will likely see posters that have been put up by this group. More activities are planned. If anyone would like to help with this effort, please contact me at
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or at 905-257-0250.
And if you want to do one thing for the earth this week, make a pledge to stop using plastic bags. It's another little thing that will make a big difference.
What To Do Instead
- Buy reusable bags from just about any grocery store and use them for groceries or other shopping.
- Buy compostable bags made from cornstarch. Some grocery stores now carry them. They can also be ordered online from companies like Bio-Bag. For more information email Dana Dilworth at
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or go to: www.ecolifeproducts.ca
The Region of Halton has launched the Take It Back Campaign for plastic bags. Other Take It Back programs will follow. In Oakville, plastic bags can be returned to the following stores:
*Dominion, 478 Dundas Street West
*Dominion, 1521 Rebecca Street
*Dominion, 1011 Upper Middle Road
*Food Basics, 530 Kerr Street, Oakville
*Fortinos, 173 Lakeshore Road West
*Longo's, 338 Dundas Street East
*Price Chopper, 2501 Third Line
*Real Canadian Superstore, 201 Oak Park Boulevard
*Sobeys, 1500 Upper Middle Road
*Sobeys, 2441 Lakeshore Road West
*Sobeys, 511 Maple Grove Drive
*The Barn Fruit Markets, 1A-280 North Service Road West
*The Bay, Oakville Place, 240 Leighland Avenue
*Wal-Mart, 234 Hays Boulevard,
*Whole Foods Market, 301 Cornwall Rd.
*Zellers, Hopedale Plaza, 1455 Rebecca
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