When I decided to start doing this magazine, I debated if I should keep it light and fun, or if I wanted to take on more serious news stories? I am not connected to any news stations, so there is a risk in covering real news. If I screw up and not get my facts straight I have no one covering my arse. But as long as it's just my OPINON then no harm no fowl.
Growing up in the 80's and 90's, you saw environmentalists and activists on television constantly. Advertisements for saving the whales, stopping the amazon from being destroyed, and daily news reports on oil spills. The idea that we needed to stop cutting down the forests by the thousands because it was too destructive to make paper became the main storyline for almost a full decade. The choice at the grocery then became clear when you checked out and the bagger asked you " Will that be paper or plastic bags?" The obvious choice was plastic. The idea of the reusable bag being the norm was still a good half decade away.
Here we are now in 2023 and once again we're faced with the idea of switching gears with the way we consume products. Once again, at least for the rest of 2023, Canadians are being asked to switch from plastic to either reusable bags or paper. The plastic that was suppose to have saved the rain forests are now polluting the water. Our vicious circle of death has hit another target.
By the end of the year, we Canadians will no longer have the option to buy single use plastics. At first glance, it is a brilliant move. At second and even third glance, you are left scratching your head as to how certain products are going to be accommodated? And the answer currently seems to be a return to wood and paper items. We've already introduced metal reusable straws, wooden cutlery, and the return of the dreaded paper grocery bag.
But will that be enough? Is it too late? Can we change our buying habits that easily? And will we be seeing a return of glass serving dishes or will the uptake be on reusable plastics; such as travel mugs?
Honestly, if history is any indication, we'll be right back to this debate of paper or plastic in another thirty years.
Maybe the question shouldn't be "paper or plastic?" but "glass or metal?"
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