Disability group wants City of Vancouver to re-think plastic straw ban

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – As the City of Vancouver moves to get rid of plastic straws and foam take-out cups by 2019, some groups are raising some concerns about the move.

The Disability Alliance of BC says reasonable exceptions must be made for people with disabilities.

Jane Dyson with the alliance is calling for fair compromises when the city implements the ban on Jun. 1. “In my view, if a person with a disability was in a restaurant or some other establishment where they ordered a drink and they needed a straw and they asked for one — they should be provided with one.”

Dyson adds she will be contacting the city to make her case.

“For some people with disabilities, such as people who have had a severe spinal cord injury, people with MS, cerebral palsy — they need straws, they need to be able to use a straw to be able to drink independently.”

The ban to get rid of the items was approved earlier this week as the city pushed through its new zero waste plan.

Single-use straws and polystyrene foam cups will be banned six months earlier than originally proposed.

Mayor Gregor Robertson says the strategy is a big step towards make Vancouver the world’s greenest city.

“Cities around the world recognize the detrimental impact of plastic waste on our environment and are taking bold steps to cut down or eliminate waste through bans and innovative reusable programs,” says Robertson.

“In Vancouver, we’re hearing strong support from local businesses, environmental groups and the general public and I’m confident that this comprehensive strategy will help us become a clean, zero-waste city.”

The city says if its goals are not by 2021, it will completely ban plastic bags and single-use cups as well.

The ban does not effect facilities like hospitals.

Cups and take-out containers make up nearly 50 per cent of all items in public garbage bins. Straws and stir sticks make up about two per cent of garbage on the shoreline.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today