Milligan, Anthony Lanier II return to Riders' lineup
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Some key players are back for the Riders as they get ready to host the Redblacks on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Say goodbye to plastic convenience.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that his government plans to ban all single-use plastics as early as 2021. Some parts of Regina have already been embracing alternatives.
Mortise and Tenon, located on 11th Avenue, offers a variety of eco-friendly alternatives to reduce plastic waste. Items include products such as bee’s wax food wrap to replace Saran wrap, cloth snack bags and a refill station for people to fill their own containers of shampoo, conditioner, or laundry soap.
The federal plastic ban is likely to include a number of items such as plastic forks, straws, and drink stirrers in an effort to reduce waste.
Dani Hackel, a part-owner of the shop, said the plastic ban would certainly help business.
“Even just talking about a ban will get people talking about what they’re actually throwing away and where that waste is going,” said Hackel, who added that a ban would get people buying the alternatives that her store offers.
Not only can shoppers receive the convenience of going plastic free, but bar goers can as well.
Victoria’s Tavern on Hamilton Street has long embraced eco-friendly initiatives. The bar uses paper to-go containers instead of styrofoam and last year began using paper straws rather than plastic.
“The amount of people I see bring their own straws in, they’re excited that we no longer give out the plastic straws,” said bar manager Chantelle Kraushaar. “When we say we have paper straws, they say, ‘Oh, that’s awesome, that’s so good!’ ”
Hackel noted her store has also noted an enthusiasm in those seeking a greener lifestyle.
“We’ve moved into a larger space because the demand was high and we didn’t have enough room,” said Hackel, who mentioned the customer base has picked up over the past year.
“I think people are being more conscious of what they’re using. They’re being a little more responsible with what they’re purchasing.”
Hackel said although the store is constantly looking at products to buy, she does anticipate more alternatives to be looked at when the plastic ban comes into effect.
Kraushaar also foresees more plastic-free changes to be introduced, especially once the ban is in place.
“We are part of the Leo’s group so typically it does have to work with all locations,” said Kraushaar, but she added future changes would not surprise her.
“I know that these guys are always at the edge of everything new and innovative so they’re definitely looking.”
Although it is more cost-effective to use plastic straws, Kraushaar said that the switch to paper straws has been cheaper for the bar.
“We only give them out when requested, so we’ve actually decreased the amount of money that we spend on paper straws,” she said.
Despite being at least a couple of years away, Hackel welcomes the plan to ban plastics.
“I think we’re at the point where we don’t really have a choice,” said Hackel, who added that she uses plastic alternatives herself. “If we don’t make some pretty big changes here, we’re not going to have the opportunity to do so.”
Saskatoon businesses agree
Some Saskatoon businesses aren’t overly concerned about the proposed plastics ban, either.
Jason Evanochko, owner of Smoke’s Poutinerie, said alternatives to disposable plastics are fairly affordable and easy to access.
“Right now, (alternatives are) only slightly more expensive than our current costs for the same cheap plastic model,” he said.
He further explained that costs for biodegradable and reusable products will drop.
“With the whole industry shifting in that direction anyways, the costs of those products, which are slightly more expensive, are going to be reducing quite a bit,” Evanochko said.
Even some in the plastic industry are in favour of the ban. Laurence Noon, the owner of Ellenn Plastics Manufacturing, said he’s strongly against single-use plastics.
“If companies come to us for single-use plastic, I will not do it,” he said. “When it comes to plastics like straws and blister packs, not interested.”
— With files from 650 CKOM’s Dominick Lucyk