Canada bans 6 types of single-use plastics

Countries will not be able to manufacture, sell or import single-use plastic items.

Published 10/03/2022

plastic

Photo: Volodymyr Hryshchenko | remove splash

Canada has issued regulations to ban single-use plastics. The regulation regulates the manufacture, import, sale and export of six categories of single-use plastic items.

“The announcement positions the country as a global leader in efforts to reduce materials, which impact the environment, human health, and even the economy,” said Oceana, a non-profit organization for ocean conservation. The Canadian branch of the entity has been working since 2019 to promote the reduction of plastic pollution, including scientific recommendations to achieve “zero plastic waste”.

Oceana estimates that a total of 33 billion units of single-use plastic end up in Canadian oceans each year.

An alternative to plastic straws. | Photo: David Lalang | remove splash

According to information from the country’s government, seeks to transition from a linear economy, which disposes of plastic as waste, to a circular economy, which keeps plastic in the economy and out of the environment through activities such as better product design. higher rates of reuse, repair, remanufacture, repair and recycling.

In this sense, the following categories fall under the law: bags, cutlery, stirrers, tin rings, straws and some food delivery containers (delivery)all made of plastic.

Bamboo cutlery is an alternative to plastic. Photo: Beegreens

The ban on single-use plastics has been a measure announced since 2019 by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but it was only this year (on June 22 2022 to be more precise) that the regulation was implemented. The law will then take effect from the end of this year.

Oceana considers the latest ban “eliminates technical loopholes in previous versions of the law, allowing for more durable single-use plastic options to replace commonly used items such as cutlery and shopping bags.”

To guide companies and organizations in moving to available alternatives, the government of Canada has prepared a document titled “Single-use plastic regulations”.

Inspiration for Brazil

Learning “Plastic Free Ocean” estimates, per year, Brazil releases 325,000 tons of plastic waste into the oceans. In beach cleaning, 70% of the waste collected is plastic. The figure reflects a lack of targeted policies for the sector, as the country already produces, annually, 500 billion single-use plastic items – becoming Latin America’s largest producer of plastics.

“Faced with this scenario, Oceana recommends that Brazil follow the example of other countries and quickly create a national Circular Economy law, which limits the production and use of single-use plastics,” the organization said in a statement.

Clara Burton

"Geek zombie. Subtly charming social media scholar. Beer enthusiast. Lifelong bacon pioneer."

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