The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind the public that the provincial ban on retail plastic shopping bags is fast approaching. As of July 1, regulations under the Environmental Protection Act will come into force, banning the distribution of retail plastic bags in Newfoundland and Labrador.

We are proud that our province is the second in Canada to implement a ban on the distribution of plastic retail bags. We have proceeded with the ban based on significant public consultations. The ban will help us protect the environment and improve the waste management system.

Mr. Speaker, we are also continuing our work with the federal, provincial and territorial governments to address the broader category of paper and packaging. We are working on the development of an Extended Producer Responsibility program under the national Zero Plastic Waste Strategy

We have been encouraging people to start new habits and consider potential alternatives to single-use plastic bags. We’ve already seen many residents and businesses begin to reduce plastic waste.

Thank you.