One year later, here's what shoppers and businesses think about N.L.'s plastic bag ban

A year after Newfoundland and Labrador's ban on single-use retail plastic bags came into effect, shoppers and businesses have a mixed bag of opinions on the ban.

Since Oct. 1, 2020, the bags have been outlawed at stores and shops, with the exception of plastic bags used for packaging fruit, grains, flowers, live fish and a number of other items.

Prior to the decision, a provincial government consultation found 87 per cent of respondents were in favour of the ban, and since then, most shoppers say they've gotten into the routine of carrying reusable bags and using alternatives to plastic.

"I find it a big difference," says Kim Courage, who would often use her plastic bags for secondary purposes, like bagging up her kids' wet clothes after swimming.

"And just like, if anything smells," she said. "So that your garbage isn't smelly." 

Since the ban, Courage said she's turned to buying plastic bags.

"We're trying," she said. "I mean, we've got to go green."