The Markham Declaration for Immediate Action on Single-Use Plastics & Litter
Moved by Regional Councillor Jack Heath
Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
WHEREAS all Canadians have the right to live in clean, healthy and resilient communities, free of litter and single-use plastic-related pollution; and
WHEREAS decades of over-consumption of single-use plastics have led to a global environmental crisis with millions of tonnes of single-use plastics annually polluting our communities and waterways; and
WHEREAS most litter found during Canadian shoreline clean-ups include plastic bottles and caps, beverage cups and lids, shopping bags, straws, stir sticks, cutlery, take-out containers, etc.; and
WHEREAS single-use plastics are problematic because they slowly breakdown in the environment and are consumed by wildlife and marine life with profoundly negative impacts to our food chain and ultimately human health; and
WHEREAS the majority of single-use plastics originate from retail stores, food premises such as restaurants and grocery stores, convenience shops, beer & liquor outlets, temporary event vendors, etc.; and
WHEREAS businesses that supply or offer single-use plastics do not factor in the total life-cycle environmental costs of these items, such as litter clean-up and disposal, as well as their toxic impact on humans, wildlife, marine life, soil, and water; and
WHEREAS in a recent national poll conducted by Friends of the Earth, 80 percent of Canadians support a ban on the production and use of single-use disposable plastic containers and packaging; and
WHEREAS the Canadian and Ontario governments have announced their intentions to address single-use plastics, but have taken no immediate concrete action; and
WHEREAS local governments like the City of Markham have taken a leadership role to mitigate pollution with bold action on textiles, waste diversion, air quality, and pesticide reduction; and
WHEREAS Markham, its residents and innovative business leaders are committed to taking immediate action to reduce single-use plastics; and
WHEREAS the cost of inaction is dramatically greater than the cost of action and, as a community, there is recognition that we are all in this together; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
- Markham Council declares that, within three months of the adoption of this declaration the following single-use plastics must not be used by businesses serving consumers in Markham:
- Plastic film retail shopping bags. If a retail shopping bag is necessary, it would be permissible to substitute a non-plastic alternative to be provided on request. Charging a fee for such a product would also be permissible,
- Plastic straws, plastic stir sticks, plastic drink stoppers and other similar products. The exception would be for medical and accessibility purposes. If such products are necessary, it would be permissible to substitute a non-plastic alternative to be provided on request,
- Plastic, plastic-coated, or polystyrene take-out containers and lids. For example, coffee cups and restaurant take-home food containers. Non plastic or non plastic-coated alternatives would be permitted,
- Plastic six-pack rings or similar items used for carrying pop, beer and other products. Substituting them with non-plastic alternatives would be permitted,
- Single-portion condiments and single-use plastic utensils. They may be supplied to consumers on request.
- That this declaration applies all to retail stores, food premises such as restaurants and grocery stores, convenience shops, beer & liquor outlets, temporary event vendors, etc. across the City. Markham will monitor for non-compliance and use its enforcement powers to achieve compliance, and
- That this declaration be forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Premiers and Ministers of the Environment in each of the provinces and territories, party leaders in the 14 jurisdictions, all municipalities in Canada, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, all provincial and municipal associations, and all impacted Markham businesses.