The City of Nanaimo is being asked become the second municipality in Canada to ban small single-use plastic water bottles from being sold within city limits.
Jackie Bolen delegated to city council on Monday, Oct. 20, saying that Nanaimo has an opportunity to be the first medium-sized city in the country to move forward with banning plastic water bottles smaller than a litre.
"We are in a time of climate emergency, I'm not sure anyone in this room would disagree with that, and removing plastic waste is important in all forms," Bolen told council. "The second reason is that production and disposal of plastic, such as those smaller water bottles, releases greenhouse gases. Recycling is one part of the solution, but it still uses resources and obviously not every single plastic water bottle gets recycled."
A similar bylaw has been enacted in Tofino after years of advocacy from Surfrider Pacific Rim. The ban, set to begin on April 22 following an adjustment period, includes exemptions for bottles sold in cases, as well during emergencies or during Stage 3 water conservation.
In a press release announcing the change, Tofino Mayor Dan Law stated that the bylaw takes a "meaningful step" to protect oceans, beaches and wildlife from plastic waste.
Bolen told Nanaimo council that aside from enviromental benefits, microplastics from plastic water bottles break down, presenting an ongoing threat to human health.
"Alternatives exist. I'm sure everybody in this room has at least one water bottle, I see lots of people around with them."
Despite advocating for such a ban, Bolen said there is push-back, claiming that a city staff member told her they opposed such a ban on the basis of potential water shortages, emergencies, struggles to find a place to fill up reusable bottles and enforcement challenges.
Bolen wasn't convinced.
"We have bylaw officers already in the City of Nanaimo and I think after public education to businesses they will just simply stop ordering these products, I don't see enforcement as a huge issue..." she said. "The person I spoke to suggested businesses could just ... stop ordering these products, however if this was the case I think we would still see plastic bags in stores. We don't because it is the law."
Following the presentation, Coun. Ben Geselbracht referenced a recent study that found concentrations of nanoplastic shards or flakes are even making their way into people's brains.
"I do know that the highest source of microplastics is from those little water bottles, which is quite creepy," he said.
Coun. Paul Manly said that he believes many people are under the false impression water bottles come from a spring, while in reality it typically comes from municipal sources that are then bottled and sold to consumers. He also drew attention to the city's 2011 ban on selling water bottles in muncipal facilities, and ensured all city facilities had re-filling stations.
"I would say it was contentious at the time, but everyone has gotten used to it," he said.