Canada set out its final regulations on Monday, saying it intends to ban plastic bags, straws, home containers and other disposable plastics.
“Only 8% of the plastic we throw away is recycled,” said Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos in French, adding that 43,000 tonnes of disposable plastic a year find their way into the environment, mostly waterways.
Duclos was joined by Environment Minister Stephen Gilbo on a beach in Quebec City to announce the final regulatory text, which includes a ban on disposable plastic bags, cutlery, straws, sticks, carrying rings and collection containers.
The ban on the production and import of these six types of items will begin in December 2022, and the ban on sale a year later. By the end of 2025, Canada will also ban exports, making it “the first of the partner jurisdictions to do so internationally,” according to a government statement.
“The Canadian population was very clear with us,” he said of the proliferation of plastics in soil, air, drinking water and food. “They are tired of seeing plastic rubbish in parks and streets [and other locations]”
The rules have a few notable exceptions. Retailers will be allowed to sell single-use flexible plastic straws if they are packed together with a beverage container and as long as the packaging is made off-site.
In addition, they will be allowed to sell packs of 20 or more disposable straws, as long as they are kept out of sight of customers.
The new regulations also do not ban plastic packaging for consumer goods, a leading source of plastic waste worldwide, although Canada has promised to ensure that all plastic packaging contains at least 50% recycled content by 2030.
In 2018, Canada led the creation of the International Charter for Ocean Plastics, which has since been signed by 28 countries, including France, Germany and Costa Rica. The promise includes steps to reduce the use of plastics and work with industry to increase the recycling rate of plastics.
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