The independent pharmacists owners affiliated to the PROXIM and PROXIMed banner announces that as of September 17, establishments located across the province of Quebec will offer their clients reusable bags in order to reduce the use of plastic bags. A 5 cent symbolic amount will be paid by consumers for each plastic bag they want to use and this amount will be given to the Quebec Environment Foundation.
A concrete step in favour of environment and health was taken today, when the Quebec Environment Foundation, PROXIM and PROXIMed affiliated pharmacists owners, the Direction de santé publique of Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal and the intervention theatre group Parminou, joined forces to invite young students to accomplish concrete actions for the environment. “This initiative suggests concrete actions to change behaviours and preserve our environment and our health in the perspective of sustainable development” said Claude Hill, Quebec Environment Foundation Vice-President and Executive Director.
Sensitizing Quebec young students
The Quebec Environment Foundation, the Direction de santé publique and PROXIM and PROXIMed have entered a partnership to support the implementation of an intervention program addressing over 65,000 youngsters between age 10 and 14 on the importance of protecting the environment in order to reduce pollution impacts on health. Starting in October 2009, Montreal’s Théâtre Parminou will launch its provincial tour in 250 schools with a play on air quality and its impact on health. Also, a pedagogical kit will be distributed to over 3000 teachers in order for them to continue in class the sensitization movement generated by the play, which should translate into concrete actions done by the students and their families. “In sensitizing the young people to the importance of their environment quality, we will convince them that action is needed” says Michel Chartrand, President of PROXIM. “Environment has major impacts on the health of the population. For example, atmospheric pollution increases heart and respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema” explains Norman King, epidemiologist at the Direction de santé publique.
Air quality: a major challenge for the Direction de santé publique
Active in this field, the Direction de santé publique will validate the content developed by the Foundation and intended for teachers to continue in class the reflection initiated by the play. “We must give young people ideas and convince them that they can influence their families and friends. We must not only transmit knowledge, but also examples of concrete actions, because any initiative to improve outside air quality can help diminish symptoms linked to cardio-respiratory diseases and prevent deaths due to pollution” specifies Mr. King.
The first pharmacists owners group to eliminate plastic bags
Beside supporting this initiative, PROXIM will be the first pharmacists owners group to to join forces to reduce the use of plastic bags. As of September 17, clients of all Quebec territory PROXIM pharmacies will be invited to use reusable bags. Each one will cost 5 cents, monies that will be offered to The Quebec Environment Foundation. Surveys proved that asking a small, even symbolic, amount of money for plastic bags has a significant effect on the clientele’s behaviour? The bags consumption is then decreasing by over 50%. “Young people we educated today with the help of our health and environment partners will not ask for disposable plastic bags tomorrow” concludes Michel Chartrand.
Minister Beauchamp applauds at this initiative
Mrs. Line Beauchamp, Minister of sustainable development, Environment and Parks, applauds at these initiatives, which are part of a voluntary code of best practices on the use of shopping bags: “It’s without a doubt a good way to reduce the use of plastic bags. We encourage other leaders in all domains to launch such projects in order to improve health and environment.”
Artistic co-director of the Théâtre Parminou, Mrs. Maureen Martineau, has authored the play that will reach over 65,000 young students in 250 Quebec schools: “Une planète for P.O.is a show that intends to share with 10 to 14 year olds a preoccupation about the contagious indifference with which we permit to be poisoned. Pierre-Olivier will address the youngsters to try and find solutions to counter toxicity in his village where inhabitants have chosen development and excessive consumerism instead of air quality.” A pioneer in intervention theatre for the last 36 years, Théâtre Parminou has given over 3,000 shows across the province of Quebec and reached over 60,000 youngsters. The Association Québécoise pour la Promotion et L’Éducation Relative à l’Environnement and the Fondation Monique Fitz Back are also contributing to the content of the play and pedagogical kit.
