Recent poll finds most British Columbians support bans on single-use plastics

A recent poll found that most BC residents endorse the expansion of the ban on single-use plastic products.

Throughout the last five years, the Canadian government has been expanding upon the prohibition of manufacturing and exporting single-use plastics.

In 2022, the manufacturing of disposable plastic checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice wares, stir sticks and most straws was banned at the federal level. One year later, manufacturing ring carriers for canned drinks were banned as well.

These plastic items were banned because they are hard to recycle. They are often too thin or small for sorting machinery, frequently cause them to jam belts and can contain mixed materials, dyes and food residue. Furthermore, manufacturing costs for making new, virgin plastic is significantly cheaper than processing recycled materials.

In the latest poll from BC-based Research Co., most British Columbians agreed the ban on these items was worth it.

The poll asked BC respondents whether they supported or opposed the six main categories of banned plastics.

To this, 63% supported the ban on plastic stir sticks, 60% supported the ban on plastic beverage rings, 59% supported the ban on plastic straws, 58% supported the ban on plastic shopping bags, 52% supported the ban on plastic cutlery and 50% supported the ban on other foodservice wares.

As all categories were 50% or above, this means the majority of BC residents endorse this ban across all six categories.

When asked if compared to five years ago, they were using more, less or the same amount of plastics, only 8% of BC respondents said they used more. Conversely, 62% said they used less and 27% determined they used around the same amount.

This poll also sought to find out about other environmentally-friendly habits British Columbians partake in, and what they could do more of.

BC respondents indicated that 54% always go out of the way to recycle, 28% do most of the time, 10% do some of the time and only 4% never recycle.

However, according to the poll, not as many people in BC unplug electrical devices in their homes when not in use, such as TVs, computers and cell phone chargers. Respondents indicated that only 14% unplug these devices all the time, 26% do most of the time, 33% do some of the time and 24% never unplug unused devices.

Do you support the ban on single-use plastics? What are some ways you think people could be more environmentally friendly?

Let us know in the comment section below.