In keeping with its commitment to reduce plastic waste and plastic pollution, the Minister of the Environment announced the elimination or restriction of six categories of single-use plastics that pose a threat to the environment. The Government of Canada is currently accepting comments on the proposed regulations; for manufacturers and importers, this is an important opportunity to share their opinions on these potential laws.
The proposed Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 25th, 2021 for a 70-day comment period, ending on March 5th, 2022.
The proposed Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations would prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of six categories of single use plastic products.
Here is a list of the single-use plastic items the Government plans on prohibiting
- checkout bags
- cutlery
- foodservice ware made from or containing problematic plastics
- ring carriers
- stir sticks
- straws
Manufacture and import for the purposes of export would not be subject to the proposed prohibition; however, record keeping requirements need to support the exportation or re-export. There are some exceptions in the Regulations.
Checkout bags, cutlery, and straws have reusable substitutes, so the proposed regulations would identify performance standards to differentiate between single-use and reusable items for these three product categories. The proposed Regulations would also provide exemptions to accommodate people with disabilities. These exemptions are linked to the conditions upon which straws are sold. Therefore, the prohibitions on sale of straws would come into force one year after the proposed regulations are registered. The prohibition on selling all other single-use items would come into force two years after the proposed regulations are registered. The prohibitions on manufacture and import of all six single-use items would come into force one year after registration of the proposed regulations.
Your feedback and input submission can be sent by email to:
Plastics Consultation
Plastics Regulatory Affairs Division
Department of the Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard, Place Vincent Massey, 9-064
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3
Email: [email protected].
You can find more information about the proposed regulations and the issue of single-use plastics here: Proposed Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations
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