Plastics Reduction

One bag at a time, we make a difference!

As of January 1, 2021, a business will no longer be authorized to supply a plastic shopping bag to a customer. Only paper bags will be allowed, but customers will first have to be asked if they need one. If so, the business will have to charge for each bag.

Single-use plastic has a negative impact on the environment. Its use has been part of our daily routines for dozens of years, and now it’s up to us to do our part to alleviate this global problem. Living along one of the most beautiful bodies of water in North America, the communities of Shediac, Beaubassin-est and Cap-Pelé have come together to preserve their special backyard.

One of the actions towards a greener community was the disposal of single-use plastic bags.

How can you contribute?

Consumer

Business

How can you contribute as a business?

Changes are approaching, and we must be prepared. This eco-responsible movement begins with our actions, and we must set an example to the rest of the community. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the elimination of single-use plastic bags.

Inform your customers by telling them, or by displaying a sign at the entrance

The more our customers are aware of the situation, the more they will be ready when the regulation changes. By informing them now, we will save a lot of paper bags.

Encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags

When customers use our paper bags, it would be a good idea to inform them about the movement and encourage them to participate.

Share our posts on your social media to inform your audience about the changes coming into effect on January 1st, 2021

By sharing our post, you’re exposing your audience to the changes, which will help a lot in saving more plastic bags. The more customers are informed, the fewer paper bags we will have to waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should we do with our current plastic bags?

Nearly 70 bottle redemption centres in New Brunswick will now recycle plastic bags.

Encorp Atlantic, which represents non-alcoholic beverage product distributors, is responsible for processing and recycling all non-alcoholic beverage containers received by the province’s redemption centres and plastic bags.

Does this rule only apply to grocery stores?

No. It applies to all businesses that offer products.

What happens if we don’t respect the new regulations?

Any person who violates any provisions of this by-law is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine if convicted. The minimum fine for an offence committed under this by-law is $140 and the maximum fine is $2,100.

The minimum fine that may be imposed is the minimum fine established in this by-law multiplied by the number of days during which the offence continues.

The maximum fine that may be imposed is the maximum fine established in this by-law multiplied by the number of days during which the offence continues.

How will this by-law be applied in my municipality?

Here is a link to the bylaws for each municipality for more information on the enforcement of the new regulation.

Town of Shediac

Beaubassin-Est Rural Community

Village of Cap Pelé

Where can I get more information about this by-law ?

Town of Shediac : 532-7000 / info@shediac.ca

Beaubassin-Est Rural Community : 532-0730 / info@beaubassinest.ca

Village of Cap Pelé : 577-2030 / info@cap-pele.com

How can you contribute as a consumer?

Since the new regulations will soon be coming into effect, it’s important to make sure you’re ready for these changes. Businesses are doing their part by eliminating plastic bags, but now it’s our turn to do ours by taking along our own reusable bags. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth transition towards a more eco-responsible world.

Share our videos on social media

To ensure that as many people as possible are notified of the changes coming into effect on January 1st, it’s important to share our message on social media.

Inform your surrounding

Word of mouth goes a long way in small communities. As a citizen, it is important to pass the message along to those close to us.

Keep reusable bags in your car or by the entrance of your home

By doing this, we reduce our chances of forgetting the bags and relying on the paper bags provided by businesses.

Bring more bags than needed

Oftentimes, we underestimate our shopping needs and end up buying more items than we had planned. To avoid this problem, always bring extra bags.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I forget my reusable bags?

The business will have paper bags for you. However, they will not be free and prices may vary.

Are there some alternatives to plastic bags?

Bags made from woven synthetic fibres can be used for many years. Keep a few in your car and one in your purse or backpack so you always have it with you.
Insulated cooler bags – keep in the car for cold items. Just wipe clean.
Bags made from recycled plastic water bottles (PET) or polypropylene are durable.
Fabric bags made from natural, renewable resources (cotton or canvas) are very durable and can be washed.
Cardboard boxes are provided in some stores and can be reused and recycled.
Plastic bins are sturdy and can be used for many years. Keep them in the trunk of your car and transfer items from your cart into the bin.

What are the exceptions?

Package loose bulk items such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains or candies
Package loose small hardware items such as nails and bolts
Contain or wrap frozen goods, meat, poultry or fish, whether pre-packaged or not
Wrap flowers or potted plants
Protect prepared foods or bakery goods that are not pre-packaged
Contain prescriptions drugs received from the pharmacy
Transport live fish
Protect linens, beddings, or similar large items that cannot easily fit in a reusable bag
Protect newspaper or other printed materials intended to be left at the customer’s residence or place of business
Protect clothes after professional laundering or dry cleaning
Protect tires that cannot fit in a reusable bag
Collect and dispose of animal waste