Plastic bans have impact

Re. Poilievre to end plastic ban (Castanet, April 18)

I am typically a Liberal (supporter), but was ready to vote (Conservative) as I was tired of former prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Now with current Liberal Leader Mark Carney's ascension, I am looking more critically at my previous desire to support Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and then I read he plans to end the plastics ban.

I believe Poilievre’s argument is these plastics are de minimis, and these bans have no real effect on our world. However, one only needs to google the “great pacific garbage patch,” which is so large it can be seen from space.

I can't see how anyone would think this is a good thing. It just reeks of selfishness and disregard for our fellow humans.

These bans do have a real effect. For example, at my gym, the water receptacle tracks how many plastic bottles have been avoided by people bringing re-usable bottles. At that receptacle alone, there have been over a million bottles displaced. The ones at the airport have even more I believe. Millions of plastic bottles displaced just from these three machines. Imagine the impact around the world with just that one measure.

With respect to plastic bags being banned, that will prevent 1.3 million tonnes of plastic poisoning our homes and environment. Why do (Conservatives) want this poisonous waste in our environment? Why don't they care? I don't understand.

I am all for free markets and business but how can the Conservatives ignore that we need this planet to survive? I don't understand why, whenever they are given a choice, they always refuse to balance business with planetary health.

Without a healthy planet, we, and future generations, cannot survive. Business doesn't exist without a healthy planet.

Andrew Kasczinski, West Kelowna