Huntingdon has became the first Quebec municipality to go plastic bag free - at store check-out counters, at least - and the transition has been surprisingly painless, merchants say. Canada.com reports that the Huntingdon bylaw means no retail outlet can distribute plastic bags, no advertiser can deliver fliers in plastic bags, and residents are not even supposed to line their garbage bins with green plastic bags.

The bylaw is part of a broader programme, championed by Mayor Stéphane Gendron, to reduce waste at landfill sites. The plan includes a town-run recycling plant, a new "eco-centre" serving the town and surrounding region and, eventually, a composting facility with curbside compost collection for residents.

While stores can still sell products wrapped or bagged or boxed in all manner of wasteful plastic packaging, banning plastic ba gs is a start, the mayor says.