With the aim to reduce plastic bag use by 50%, Manitoba Conservation has issued strict guidelines for industry:

• Reporting on plastic bag use annually
• Setting minimum thickness guidelines for plastic bags
• Increasing promotion of re-usable bags
• Increasing recycled content in bags by as much as 50%
• Evaluating biodegradable bags
• Promoting incentives for consumers to reuse plastic bags
• Expansion of plastic bag recycling programs
• Banning plastic bags from non conforming uses

MMSM is part of the pollution prevention programs and will regulate new provincial legislation requiring. Companies who manufacture and market packaging and printed-paper will also take responsibility for a share of costs to recover their products from Manitoba residences. The regulation went into effect March 26, 2010.