The purpose of the Act is to reduce waste and environmental damage resulting from signal-use checkout bags.
This law, the Plastic Bag Reduction Act, applies to all businesses that provide checkout bags (not just grocery) as of July 1, 2019. The following key points apply to businesses of Prince Edward Island:
-as a business, you can no longer provide plastic checkout bags to customers;
-no biodegradable or compostable checkout bags as an option;
-paper bags (minimum charge of $0.15 per bag) or reusable checkout bags (minimum charge of $1.00 per bag) are an option;
-no FREE paper or free reusable checkout bags. There is an exception to provide small recyclable paper bags (size: 15cm x 30cm = 600sq cm) at no charge;
-limited exemptions include bags used to protect prepared foods, loose items, food safety, medications, dry cleaning or some bulk items (refer to sub-section 5 of the Act for list of exemptions);
-your business will retain the fee (subject to HST) collected for both the paper and reusable checkout bags. The fee must be displayed on the customer receipt;
-A business may use up existing bag supplies purchased prior to the coming into force of the Act.
We have flyers at our Chamber office that businesses are welcome to display at their establishment. If you would like us to stop by with one please just ask and we would be happy to or you can pop in and pick one up at 201 Water Street.