Canada To Ban Single-use Plastic Products

The Canadian government has issued final regulations banning certain single-use plastic products, including checkout bags, cutlery, food packaging containing hard-to-recycle plastic, ring holders, stir bars and most straws. The ban on plastic products takes effect in December 2022, but those goods will still be allowed to be sold until December 2023 to reduce inventories. The export of these six types of plastic products will be banned by the end of 2025.

"Plastic pollution can be found in outdoor air, food and drinking water," said Jean Yves Duclos, Canada's health minister. By addressing this issue, we will improve the health of all Canadians. These new regulations mark a turning point in Canada, where we are taking strong action to protect the environment and create cleaner, healthier communities."

The Canadian Chemical Industry Association (CIAC) opposed the measures, saying they would be counterproductive. "We need to invest in plastic recycling infrastructure and innovation rather than relying on a ban to solve the problem," said Elena Mantagaris, VICE President of CIAC Plastics.