Lambton Shores could become North America's second plastic free community.
Councillor Lorie Scott recently introduced a motion to ban most plastic products from municipal sites, such as water bottles and pop cans from vending machines.
Although the ban would not be enforceable beyond municipal properties, Scott said it's a symbolic move that would help clean up the community, including Grand Bend Beach and Lake Huron.
"If someone from Toronto brings a cooler to the beach with objects that we don't particularly want on the beach, we can't go tell them to leave," said Scott. "We can put the bylaw in place and we can change what we do on municipal property, but it would take everyone coming in [to make it a plastic-free community]."
Scott said Lambton Shores staff are conducting a report on the potential ban after some councillors expressed concern with the motion.
"They want to see what kind of revenue we would lose, which is only fair," she said. "So our staff will bring back a report and we'll see what goes from there."
Scott said if the motion is approved, she hopes to erect some signs declaring Lambton Shores plastic free. She also hopes this move will inspire other waterfront communities, such as Sarnia, to follow suit.
In 2018, Bayfield became the first community in North America to be declared plastic free through efforts like eliminating plastic straws in village restaurants and reducing the need for single-use plastics.