The best single-use plastic bag alternatives; Air Canada bans pets from cargo: CBC’s Marketplace cheat sheet

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What is the best alternative to single-use plastic bags? It depends

Single-use plastic bags will soon become a thing of the past in Canada. But choosing the best alternative is still not an easy decision for consumers.

The challenge for environmentally conscious shoppers is that alternatives to single-use plastic bags also leave an environmental footprint.

The number of times a reusable bag is used is an important factor in determining its environmental footprint, UN Environment Program 2020 Research Find.

On a lower level, a paper bag needs to be used four to eight times to have less impact on the climate than a single-use plastic bag. Meanwhile, a cotton canvas bag needs to be used 50 to 150 times to become better for the environment, according to research.

Tony Walker, an associate professor of environmental studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax, says one of the best options for shoppers is to go completely out of pocket whenever possible.

“Reducing consumption of anything and everything is key because everything requires resources,” said Walker, who has advised the federal government on the Zero Waste Agenda and the Ocean Plastics Charter. and energy to produce. Read more

Air Canada bans pets in cargo hold until mid-September

If you haven’t made a request, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to bring your family pet on vacation this summer if you fly with Air Canada.

The airline said Wednesday that it has stopped accepting new requests for pets in the baggage compartment of flights until September 12, as major airports around the country face delays, flight cancellations and logistical challenges.

Small animals are still allowed in the cabin on most flights, provided they can lie down in the container under the passenger’s front seat.

The airline says bringing a pet in the cabin will cost $50 for flights within Canada and the United States (excluding Hawaii), and $100 for international flights.

“Due to current airport delays, for the safety and comfort of pets, we will not be accepting new requests for pets traveling in the luggage compartment until September 12, 2022.” , Air Canada said by email in response to a question from CBC News.

The airline added that all bookings previously made will be taken into account. Read more

Property prices are falling in Canada’s two largest markets. This is why

Home prices may have skyrocketed in much of Canada during the pandemic, but recent developments suggest a market is returning to normal.

The ongoing downturn in Canada’s two most expensive housing markets continued into June, with new numbers showing the number of homes sold in Toronto and Vancouver fell by more than a third, and the median price average has now decreased for several consecutive months.

As is the case in many parts of Canada, home prices in and around Toronto exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, as record low interest rates allowed buyers to stretch their budgets to buy more expensive homes. But that trend changed abruptly in March, when the Bank of Canada started raising interest rates.

The impact on the market is almost immediate, as sales and new listings slow down, and bidding wars that were once common begin to fade, as buyers can afford to choose. than.

“Home sales have been hit by both the affordability challenge posed by rising mortgage rates and the psychological effect in which homebuyers who can afford higher borrowing costs have made their decision to buy a home. them to see where house prices are going,” said Toronto Area Council of Realtors Kevin Crigger. Read more

What’s happening?

Rogers and Shaw say merger talks with the Competition Bureau are going nowhere
The regulator tried to block the merger, arguing it would lead to fewer choices for Canadians and lead to higher bills for consumers.

Some Canadian winemakers say new federal program cuts tax by 4%
There are hopes that Agriculture Canada’s program means that consumers probably won’t have to pay more now to cover taxes.

Rising food and energy costs push 71 million more people around the world into poverty: UN agency
More than 51 million people fell into extreme poverty during the first three months of the war in Ukraine.

The market needs your help

We’re on a shopping trip and would love to hear from you! What motivates you to shop at a certain store? Does music or store layout play an important role? And have you noticed how the size of your clothes changes depending on where you shop? We want to hear your story. Email us at marketplace@cbc.ca.

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