A nine year-old boy caught the attention of the mayor and council in Bridgewater.
Neco Steele presented a petition of 238 signatures encouraging the town to put a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags.
Steele says the bags can end up as litter fluttering in the trees, on the ground, or washing into the ocean.
“People need inspiration and you have the power to make this important change happen in Bridgewater and be true leaders.”
Eight million metric tonnes of plastic waste enters the ocean around the world each year.
Between 300 and 500 million plastic bags are used annually in Nova Scotia.
Steele says it was crazy to learn that experts believe there will be more plastic in the world’s oceans than fish by 2050.
Meanwhile, Mayor David Mitchell says it was inspiring to see youth at council.
Bridgewater is partnering with nine other regional urban centres including Halifax and Lunenburg to establish a ban on plastic bags.
Mitchell says Neco’s presentation has given them a push to keep moving forward.
“When we hear these presentations, it’s absolutely a reminder for politicians at all levels of government that we have to think of the next generation.”
Mitchell says they hope to introduce a ban in the fall and give people time to adjust before fully implementing the ban in January 2020.
Reported by: Nick Yorston
Twitter: @NickYorston
E-mail: yorston.nick@radioabl.ca
