Canadians use 2.86 billion plastic bags per year. This equates to an average of 200 bags for every person in Canada. Worldwide, an estimated 1 trillion plastic bags are used every year. This means there are over 2 million plastic bags being consumed every minute.

Plastic bags do not biodegrade and they accumulate in landfills where they photodegrade (break down into smaller pieces), releasing toxic chemicals into the environment. They clog waterways and make their way to the ocean where seabirds and marine mammals mistake them for food. Thousands of animals die each year from swallowing or choking on small plastic pieces. Almost 90% of the trash in our oceans is plastic.

In Vancouver and Burnaby, plastic bags currently cost a mere ¢5. Consumers do not think twice about purchasing a plastic bag every time they are out grocery shopping because: 1. Plastic bags are easily accessible and 2. It’s only ¢5. It’s time we start being smart shoppers and bring reusable bags rather than using plastic ones.

Sign this petition in favour of both the City of Vancouver and the City of Burnaby increasing the price of plastic bags to $1. The price increase will discourage the purchase or use of plastic bags and hopefully, phase them out entirely to save our planet.