A push to ban single-use plastic-foam containers will get a serious look from the Capital Regional District.

The CRD board approved a motion Wednesday directing staff to investigate the options and implications of creating a model bylaw to ban the materials, which are commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam.

article continues below

Saanich Coun. Ned Taylor, who sponsored the motion with Saanich Coun. Rebecca Mersereau and Salt Spring Island director Gary Holman, welcomed the board’s support.

But he expressed frustration that directors rejected an amendment by Mersereau to look at banning other single-use plastic waste as well.

“That amendment was defeated by one vote,” he said. “So I’m disappointed with that, but I am pleased that we’re getting the process started on looking at banning Styrofoam.”

Taylor said staff are expected to report back to the parks and environment committee later this year. “The idea is that the CRD would create the [model] bylaw, and then municipalities could adopt and enforce the bylaw,” he said.

The directors behind the motion say single-use plastics are having a negative impact on wildlife and the environment.

“We’re seeing plastic waste and Styrofoam found on our beaches, in our streams,” Taylor said. “We’re seeing those impacts here within the CRD, but we’re also seeing those impacts on an international scale as well.”

Mersereau echoed Taylor’s disappointment that the board refused to broaden the motion’s scope to include other single-use plastics.

She said many people recognize the need to live more sustainably and reduce the waste that is being sent to landfills.

“So I think the public is there and expects that we will have a more progressive approach that does not simply focus on Styrofoam products,” she said.

“It’s unlikely in the CRD that our municipalities in six months or a year would consider looking at bylaws that ban only Styrofoam. I think our residents at this point are expecting us to be a bit more bold than that and expand that to more single-use products.”

Mersereau said bans encourage innovation and development of products that use more environmentally-friendly materials.

“The private sector and producers will respond quickly to regulations that we bring in and we need to be a bit more ambitious and bold,” she said.

lkines@timescolonist.com