Atlantic Canadians are overwhelmingly in favour of a ban on single use plastics by the year 2021, according to a new survey by Narrative Research, while some 63 per cent of people in Newfoundland and Labrador say they rarely or never use plastic bags when shopping.
The Narrative Research survey, according to a news release, shows that nine in 10 Atlantic Canadians support banning single-use plastics, including plastic check out bags (88 per cent), plastic packaging on most consumer items with the exception of medications and for food safety (90 per cent), and single use plastic items such as straws, cups, cutlery and takeaway food containers (88 per cent).
Prince Edward Island recently forged the path for Atlantic Canadians by enacting the Plastic Bag Reduction Act in July, Narrative Research noted in the release.
Eight in 10 PEI residents state they rarely (29 per cent) or never (51 per cent) use plastic bags when shopping. Elsewhere, the proportion indicating they rarely or never use plastic bags when shopping is 65 per cent in Nova Scotia and 61 per cent in New Brunswick.
Nova Scotia recently announced it will implement similar legislation in fall 2020 banning plastic bags.
“With the widespread support for banning plastic bags, this will likely be a relatively easy transition for consumers” said Margaret Brigley, CEO and partner of Narrative Research. “The support also paves the way for similar bans in NB and NL.”
The results are part of the Narrative Research Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent, quarterly telephone survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a telephone sample of 1,500 adult Atlantic Canadians, conducted from July 31 to Aug. 25, with overall results accurate to within plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.
