The co-owner of “Sally’s Roti”, Raoul Ramsaran, says their environmentally friendly nature is some extent of pride.
“Immediately we’re fully right down to brown bags. We’re using some biodegradable plastic bags”
So when the federal government announced a ban on single-use plastics, Sally’s Roti was already ahead of the curve.
“The knives and the forks, that also has to go, and plastic containers for the meals. Aside from that all the things else is paper already,” said Ramsaran.
Nonetheless, in line with Queens University environmental studies professor Myra Hird, these changes won’t have the impact you’ll think.
“The truth is that, all food service utensils put together accounts for about 1% of the plastics pollution, the plastic waste that we’re producing,” said Hird.
She does nonetheless, acknowledge it is a step in the proper direction.
“That is something that we are able to do on an on a regular basis basis,” said Hird. “It’s something that’s tangible, that we are able to construct into our each day practices, our each day lives”
Ramsaran appreciates the long-term intentions of the ban
“Eliminating all of your single-use plastics, it’s for the betterment, mind you”
Hird recommends all and sundry do what they will with the income and resources that they’ve.
“Do what you’ll be able to to scale back, and to reuse. After which discover what’s happening in your community, discover what’s happening in your neighbourhood and join,” said Hird.
Food market chains like Metro and Loblaws have also committed to eliminating single-use plastics by early next yr. Metro believes by not offering plastic bags at its checkouts across the country, it should divert 330 million plastic bags from landfill sites every yr.
