When Orillia City Council comes back to meet for the first time of this new year, Councillor Andrew Hill from Ward 4 wants them to address the current bylaw dealing with plastic bags.
Hill wants council to consider rescinding the current five-cent charge applied by retailers for plastic bags used by consumers.
He wants to see Orillia on a level playing field with neighbouring cities.
Hill says that if the provincial government feels it is an issue worth taking up they should implement a charge province wide.
Hill says that plastic bags are recyclable, and points out that most consumers reuse the bags.
He is also concerned with the sanitary issues related to reusable bags.
Hill would like to see retailers give customers a rebate to those who bring their own bags as opposed to charging them.
Hill does not like that funds from bag sales are not put back into the city or into research and development, but instead ends up in the hands of retailers.
