PORT AU CHOIX, N.L. – Another community is undertaking initiatives to phase out the use of single use plastic shopping bags.
The Town of Port au Choix, on the Great Northern Peninsula, has purchased over 2,200 reusable bags to distribute to locals.
Port au Choix received funding to purchase the bags through the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board’s (MMSB) Community Waste Diversion Fund.
They come printed with a custom-made town logo and will be distributed from the town hall in Port au Choix.
The town is also providing incentives for residents to use the new bags.
According to assistant town clerk, Lizeta Gould, as of June 13, the town has spoken to three local businesses – Foodland, Northern Grocery and the Port au Choix pharmacy – who each have agreed to have a draw for a $50 gift card for customers using reusable bags.
“It’s helping them save on their purchase of plastic bags and it’s helping reduce the use,” said Gould.
The draws are scheduled for July 20.
“We’re just doing our little part to help reduce the use of plastic bags,” said Gould. “And maybe other communities will follow suit."