Peterborough to reduce single-use plastics at city hall, wastewater treatment plant

The City of Peterborough is moving forward with a single-use plastic reduction strategy that will include a zero-waste planning guide and a public awareness campaign.

Peterborough city council, sitting as general committee on July 4, endorsed a plan to phase in an eventual ban of single-use plastics at city-owned locations including city hall and the wastewater treatment plant.

This includes items such as shopping bags, cutlery and drinking straws.

“Key products we’re targeting are plastic straws. You can ditch them and go to a reusable straw. Easy to do. Another example is stir sticks. Perfect example of an alternative is a piece of (uncooked) spaghetti.  Use it to stir your coffee,” said Dave Douglas, city waste diversion manager.

“Another product: coffee mugs. Lug a mug, use a reusable mug. Water bottles. The tap water is fantastic, use city water and use a reusable water bottle.”

The recommended strategy would also see the city start the creation of a City of Peterborough – Zero Waste Event planning guide, develop and implement an enhanced public awareness campaign including updated promotional and educational signage for public spaces such as parks, recreational facilities and city-owned locations, and create a temporary, 24-month contract position to assist with the design and implementation of single-use plastics reduction strategy recommendations.

The cost of the proposed contract is estimated to be approximately $100,000, which would be funded through a reserve.

“This (strategy) was one of my election platforms and promises in 2018 to the constituents of Peterborough, so I’m pleased the report is here with us tonight,” Coun. Gary Baldwin, who chairs the city’s waste management portfolio, told the virtual general committee meeting on Monday.

Baldwin and a group of citizens formed a working group in 2019 to look at ways for the city to reduce its single-use plastics.