Re: 鈥淓squimalt, Nanaimo consider bag ban,鈥� April 25.
I live in Nanaimo, adjacent to Vancouver Island University and several recreational and sports facilities.
Since 2001, I have walked my dog around the neighbourhood on pedestrian pathways and through the university, parks and sports fields. Once a week, I carry with me a disposable plastic shopping bag. Why?
To pick up the many coffee cups, drink containers, plastic lids, straws, chip bags and other detritus dropped by students from the university, high school and sports grounds. In the latter case, garbage receptacles are available, but some seem to find it more convenient to toss rubbish on the ground.
Plastic shopping bags? Hardly a one. Since last year, when a local club announced that it wanted to do its bit 鈥渇or Mother Earth鈥� and ban plastic shopping bags, I have kept a count of the number I encounter and remove. Average number: one a week.
I contacted the club and acquainted them with this fact, and after some prevarication, they informed me that it was the 鈥済esture鈥� that was important. When I remonstrated with their representative that it was 鈥渟urely of more utility to ban disposable coffee cups,鈥� he replied that 鈥減lastic shopping bags would have more impact.鈥� Oh so 21st-century: Let鈥檚 go for the glitz and the problem will solve itself.
I鈥檓 in my 80s and, as a child, I was taught to 鈥減ick up鈥� and have done so ever since. How come the 鈥淢e鈥� and 鈥淢illennial鈥� generations haven鈥檛 been taught their same public responsibility?
H.D. Thorp
Nanaimo
