Fight Against Single-use Plastic Ban: Plastic Manufacturers Sue The Canadian Government

More than 20 plastic manufacturers are suing Canada's federal court to halt the government's ban on single-use plastic products. The manufacturers have formed the Responsible Plastic Use Coalition (RPUC). This is the coalition's second legal challenge to government plans to ban single-use plastic appliances.

The lawsuit, filed in 2021 by the manufacturers of plastic products, addresses the definition of whether plastic products are toxic. The Canadian government lists certain plastics as hazardous substances under environmental protection laws. The plaintiff petitioned the court to strike down the law.

Canada's Liberal federal government plans to ban the import and production of plastic bags, styrofoam takeout boxes, single-use plastic cutlery, straws, stir sticks and six-piece lift rings by the end of this year, their sale by the end of next year and their export by 2025. The Coalition for Rational Use of Plastics' complaint asks that the plan be scrapped, that the government be barred from using environmental law provisions to regulate the production and use of single-use plastic appliances, and that the ban be temporarily frozen until a final decision is made.

Steven Guilbeault, Canada's environment minister, is optimistic that the court's decision will uphold a ban on single-use plastic appliances. He also said he would rather work with manufacturers to improve plastic recycling than go to court.