Council supports microbeads ban
Saanich council unanimously endorsed a proposed federal ban on microbes (microplastics) during Monday’s council session.
Couns. Fred Haynes and Dean Murdock brought the report to council. The use of plastic microbeads in such products as scrubs, bath products, makeup, toothpaste and facial cleaners are shown to evade wastewater treatment and enter the food chain through “bio-accumulation.”
"Federally there are currently 23,000 personal care and household domestic substances of concern," said Coun. Judy Brownoff. "There are 4,000 on the priority list and 50 of toxic substances which require management strategies to address these chemicals of concern getting into our environment, including our marine environment."
The Capital Regional District has been studying the concerns around micro plastics through its work on the core area wastewater project on a collaborative research project with Vancouver Island University and the University of Victoria.
"CRD staff have recently collected samples (wastewater, sediments and Clover Point mussels) for micro plastics analyses," Brownoff said. "The analyses and report are being done by VIU and Vancouver Aquarium. The results should tell us what shows up in our outfall area of Clover Point."
Today (March 11) is the final day of the federal government’s public input period on the proposed ban, which would add microbeads to the List of Toxic Substances.
Quadra residents, business clash
Residents from Hulford Street and Greenridge Crescent voiced disapproval during committee of the whole on Monday at the proposed development permit application for 3934 Quadra St. (beside The Keg).
The owners of the building, which operates Hendra Moving and Storage and houses Slegg Building Materials, want to add 290 storage units (from 250 to 540). But residents are displeased with customers misusing an exit on Hulford, in particular.
Approval has not yet been granted and both parties will continue working with Saanich.