Levy for One Time Use Plastic Bags

WHEREAS it is estimated 55 million one time use plastic bags are used weekly by Canadians, with all but a small percentage being sent to landfills using valuable space; AND WHEREAS it takes up to 1000 years to biodegrade, as well as taking taxpayers resources to attend to the issues that arise from plastic bag litter like clean up and blockages in gutters or drains: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the Province to institute a per-bag levy to consumers who choose to use one time use bags, with the funds generated devoted to recycling programs that help keep plastic bags out of our landfills.