Plastic bags: Let’s do the right thing

Develop new consumption habits

Beyond environmental issues, Montréal’s by-law encourages new consumption habits and reduction at the source. It promotes reduced packaging and using reusable, recyclable bags. 

Although the by-law applies to merchants, consumers have their own role to play. They can become agents of change through simple actions, such as:

• Using reusable containers and bag

• Avoiding single-use products

• Buying in bulk

• Only using plastic bags as a last resort

Evolving legislation

Montréal’s by-law bans conventional plastic shopping bags with a thickness of less than 50 microns (.05 mm) and bags with an oxidizing agent, such as oxodegradable, oxofragmentable and biodegradable bags, no matter their thickness. For sanitation and food safety reasons, small plastic bags are still permitted for meat, fish, fruits and vegetables.

The next step is coming soon! The city, which aims to completely ban all plastic bags in January 2021, is reviewing its by-law with a view to moving further towards eliminating single-use plastic bags.