Over the next decade, a ban on harmful single-use plastics will result in the elimination of more than 1.3 million tons of hard-to-recycle plastic waste and an estimated 22,000 tons of plastic pollution, which is equivalent to more than one million complete wastes. . Bag. However, the Government of Canada will “continue to be guided by science” as it takes additional measures toward its zero plastic waste goal. The government is working with provinces, territories and industry to set an ambitious collection target of 90 per cent for recycling plastic drink bottles. So, as Canada welcomes the world to the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the Government of Canada reiterates its firm commitment to address plastic pollution and protect biodiversity here and around the world has confirmed.
Steven Guilbeault, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change; Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health; Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, on Saturday announced important next steps in the government’s ban on harmful single-use plastics.
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Starting December 20, the import and manufacture of single-use plastic checkout bags, cutlery and food service ware made from problematic plastics, stir sticks, and straws that are difficult to recycle (with some exceptions) will be prohibited. The ban on manufacture and import of ring carriers will come into effect from June 2023.
It is also developing rules to require that some plastic packaging contain at least 50 percent recycled content and establish clear rules for labeling recyclable and compostable plastics.
The draft regulations are targeted for publication in early 2023. In addition, the government is developing a plastics registry to hold plastic producers accountable for their plastic waste.
These measures place Canada among the world leaders in the fight against plastic pollution and will help meet commitments to the Ocean Plastics Charter.
Internationally, Canada is leading global ambition to end plastic pollution as a founding member of the High Ambition Coalition. It is working with countries and stakeholders globally to develop an ambitious and effective legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution.
The world must act “urgently and concretely” to tackle plastic pollution, and Canada will remain a “strong contributor” to this effort.
“We promised Canadians that we would ban certain harmful single-use plastics. Today, we are following through on that commitment by prohibiting the manufacture and import of five of the six categories of these harmful single-use plastics in Canada. With this ban, and our participation towards achieving a global treaty, we are joining the global effort to reduce plastic pollution and protect our wildlife and habitats,” Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said.
(With inputs from IANS)