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Morning Brew: Toronto bans plastic bags, more big ideas for the city, a casino is officially out at Ontario Place, and the cause of the Union Station flood
I bet Rob Ford was expecting this when he pushed to eliminate the five cent bag fee. Although in one sense the mayor got his way (the fee will be scrapped July 1), in a surprise twist, council voted to eliminate plastic bags altogether by January 1, 2013. Perhaps even stranger, is that it was Councillor David Shiner who put forward the last minute motion supporting the ban, which passed 27-17.
This story probably has more life left in it yet, as the ban is bound to face a legal challenge from the plastics industry among others. So, what do you think? Good move? It's worth noting that Seattle and, more recently, Los Angeles have put similar bans in place.
Is banning plastic bags altogether a "big idea?" Maybe. But we can be even more ambitious. Case in point: the reader-submitted portion of the Grid's cover story from a couple weeks ago is full of great stuff that ranges from the entertaining and unrealistic to the intelligent and perhaps even crucial. John Lorinc's idea to create "The TO Loop" — a continuous pedestrian/cyclist path around the harbour and Islands — took top honours.
It's official — Ontario Place will not be the future site of a casino in Toronto. Exhibition Place does, however, remain a possibility. A review from the city manager regarding the site's feasibility for a casino is expected this fall.
It sure was odd that Union Station turned into Waterworld last Friday when there weren't really any other reports of flooding around the city. Now there's an explanation. As part of renovation efforts on the station, a contractor removed part of a sewer, leaving in place a pump system that was ultimately overwhelmed by the rainfall. You could say it was a Perfect Storm. But it sure made for some funny Photoshop work.
After Shawn Micallef tweeted about an intriguing (and frankly moving) backstory to the weekend's shootings at the Eaton Centre, the story of how Todd Irvine tended to a stabbed Christopher Husbands back in February made it to both the Star and the Globe.
VIDEO
Believe it or not, Councillor Paula Fletcher actually played this video about the life of a plastic bag during yesterday's city council debate. I wonder if it swayed council members in favour of the ban?
Photo by ~EvidencE~ in the blogTO Flickr pool
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http://i.imgur.com/eKfX2.jpg
And as the graphic posted in the first post shows, the check-out counter bags are hardly our biggest problem.
Re: Bill - exactly! removing one bag really doesn't do that much. I wish you could still buy 1 liter refillable bottles instead of 2 liter plastic ones. It's a small thing, but really added up.
We'll just get rid of gas all together - translation - I'm taking my ball and I'm going home.
The whole office is an embarrassment.
But seeing Ford get expertly trolled by city council was delicious.
I think it's a good move all the same. When people have to pay for plastic bags (for garbage) they re-think how they use them. Break down your garbage. recycle and compost more.
Although, in this case, I will agree that the timing of it is SPECIFICALLY to spite Ford.
Why are biodegradable plastic bags being banned as well?
I stopped using plastic bags for shopping years ago, and recently gave up using plastic bags as liners in my garbage, green waste and recycling bins. Sounds weird at first, but since nothing wet goes into the recycling or garbage I realized those bins didn't need a liner. I keep my green waste bin in my freezer so it never gets messy or smelly. Quitting plastic bags was a really small adjustment, people might be surprised how easy it is.
When I first heard about this I was upset because tons of times on the way home I realize I need something from the store and I don't have my bag(s) with me, so I get a plastic one. But with this I'm sure the retailers will just switch to paper or biodegradable, and it will get people to use biodegradable bags (maybe) for their garbage and really reduce landfill. Next stop, green bin program for condos and apartments!
Bill, you sound like a rare island of sanity in this city. Care to run for council?
Been in place for sometime now.
That's more disconcerting than a bag ban.
Ford and council need to stop acting like children.
Rumour has it that Shiner and Ford were seen high-fiving and chanting "FOUR MORE YEARS" up in the mayor's office after the vote yesterday.
I do. Ever tried using a paper bag on a rainy or snowy day?
Going to stock up the reusable bags while they are still a buck. Probably cost five by January.
Paper bag + umbrella
Paper bag + car trunk
Paper bag + bus shelter
Paper bag + PATH system (for you downtown elites)
Cloth bags
Re-useable plastic bags
Mesh bags
Boxes
Bins (plastic or wood)
Crates
Baskets
Backpack
Nap sack
I'm sure there are others, but these were a quick list from the top of head.
BTW: Has anyone actually seen Mammo around lately or is he still perfecting his assclown routine in Blob's rec room with a pair of Blob's soiled speedos strapped to his face?