Plastic prohibition is nearly upon us.
On Saturday, the government of Canada announced the next steps being taken to outlaw single-use plastics: a nationwide ban on disposable cutlery, stir sticks, straws, checkout bags, and other hard-to-recycle foodservice ware.
Starting December 20, the manufacture and import of these products will be prohibited. The government is allowing the sale of these items until December 2023, giving businesses a chance to use up current inventory and transition to more environmentally-friendly alternatives.
It was emphasized that exceptions to the straw ban will be made for those who require flexible plastic straws for accessibility reasons.
Within the next year, Canada will make strides in banning ring carriers - the plastic loops that hold six-packs of pop together, among other things. Manufacturing and importing ring carriers will be prohibited in June 2023, and the sale of these products barred by June 2024.
This announcement came from the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos, and Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Joyce Murray. The timely declaration was made as Canada hosts the 15th Conference of the Parties for the United Nations' Convention on Biodiversity. The event is being held in Montreal.
“Each year around the world, approximately 8 million tonnes of plastic pollution enters the oceans," according to Murray.
The categories of single-use plastic items being eliminated across Canada were specifically selected because they are often found in the environment, are known to be harmful to wildlife, and are relatively difficult to recycle. Each of these single-use products also have easily accessible alternatives.
"With this ban, we are expected to avoid 1.3 million tonnes of plastic waste over the next ten years across Canada, leading to less pollution and healthier communities," said Duclos.
"There is a clear linkage between a world free of plastic pollution and a sustainable world, rich in biodiversity," Guilbeault affirmed. "A world that also best supports the health and economic security of Canadians, protects our environment, and helps in the fight against climate change."
More details about the government's plan can be found in their Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations.
