An Investigation into Plastic Consumption and Alternatives for the Haliburton County Farmers’ Market

An Investigation into Plastic Consumption and Alternatives for the Haliburton County Farmers’ Market

Jamie Gallupe & Alissa Sallans

Haliburton County Farmers' Market Association (HCFMA),
Angel Taylor & Gus Janca

Derya Tarhan, Trent - International Development Studies

#4897

2020

online

Haliburton

Waste Reduction
Environmental Studies

This project is an investigation into how single-use plastic consumptions can be reduced at Haliburton County Farmers’ Markets. It includes a literature review of existing alternatives to single-use plastics, surveys and interviews. HCFMA conducted vendor surveys, which Gallupe and Sallans then analyzed. The students also surveyed 145 market customers. Surveys focused on current market practices and opinions on potential improvements as the related to single-use plastics. Interview were also conducted with Market Managers from other Canadian farmers’ markets that have been working to lower their plastic consumption and distribution.

The study showed that 41% of market vendors self-report already avoiding single-use plastics. The most commonly reported single use plastic item at the markets was plastic bags. Customer surveys showed general support for reducing plastic at the markets and that most respondents would be willing to pay slightly more for more sustainable packaging ($0.05-$1.00). Recommendations for HCFMA include posting infographic for customers, creating vendor policies around plastic use, and potentially implementing a reusable dishes program and washing station, and/or conducting a waste audit.