Laval’s ban on single-use plastic bags goes into effect Thursday

Exceptions include plastic bags that are used for hygiene or bulk purchasing, dry cleaning, or industrial purposes.

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Laval’s ordinance banning single-use plastic bags will go into effect Thursday, after which city merchants will no longer be able to offer, sell, distribute or make them available to customers.

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There are exceptions. Plastic bags used for hygiene reasons or for bulk purchase, for dry cleaning, for industrial purposes or for the marketing of prepackaged products are not prohibited.

The ordinance also prohibits restaurants and food stores from distributing single-use disposable silverware beginning May 4, 2022.

The city of Laval notes that between 1.4 and 2.7 billion shopping bags, most of them made of plastic, are distributed annually in Quebec and no more than 14% are recycled.

The impact of plastic bags on the environment is significant, affecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems, while their production increases greenhouse gas emissions and their decomposition can take up to 1,000 years.

Many other municipalities in the Montreal Metropolitan Community have issued similar bans.