Canada's Role In Combating Plastic Pollution

Canada is taking steps to reduce plastic pollution, with the Government of Canada working with provinces, territories, businesses and others to develop an action plan to implement the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste. Canada's Greening Government Strategy is driving action within the federal government and guiding practical steps to manage the use and disposal of plastics within its own operations. This includes eliminating the unnecessary use of single-use plastics in government operations, meetings and events, and purchasing more sustainable plastic products that can be reused, repaired or repurposed. Canada has also launched the Ocean Plastics Charter, which outlines concrete actions to eradicate plastic pollution.

Canada's Greening Government Strategy

Canada has set a target to divert at least 75% of plastic waste from federal operations by 2030. To achieve this, the government is working with provinces, territories, businesses and other organisations. This includes ongoing work through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment to develop an action plan to implement the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste.

The government is also supporting small businesses to find new ways to reduce plastic waste and turn waste into valuable resources. Through the Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenge, over $10 million has been provided to 18 small- and medium-sized enterprises to work on projects such as reducing plastic waste from food packaging, construction waste, marine vessels and fishing gear, and improving plastic recycling through artificial intelligence.

Canada is also mobilising international support to address plastic pollution. At the 2018 G7 in Charlevoix, Canada launched the Ocean Plastics Charter, which outlines concrete actions to eradicate plastic pollution and recognises the need for urgent action to address the devastating impacts of marine litter on the health and sustainability of our oceans, seas, coastal communities, and ecosystems.

Additionally, there are calls for the Canadian government to ban harmful single-use plastics in key sectors like e-commerce and dine-in restaurants and venues, phase out all non-recyclable plastic packaging polymers, and bring back refill and reuse to major single-use plastic sources like beverage bottles, grocery stores, restaurants and shipping.

Reducing plastic pollution

Canada has a number of strategies in place to reduce plastic pollution. The Greening Government Strategy is driving action within the federal government and guiding practical steps to manage the use and disposal of plastics within its own operations. This includes eliminating the unnecessary use of single-use plastics in government operations, meetings and events, and purchasing more sustainable plastic products that can be reused, repaired or repurposed. Canada is also working with provinces, territories, businesses and others to develop an action plan to implement the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste.

Canada has also launched the Ocean Plastics Charter, which outlines concrete actions to eradicate plastic pollution and recognises the need for urgent action to address the devastating impacts of marine litter on the health and sustainability of our oceans, seas, coastal communities, and ecosystems.

Canada is also encouraging individuals to make simple changes to reduce plastic pollution, such as using reusable products like mugs, food containers and shopping bags, refusing cutlery, straws and individual packets when ordering food for delivery or take-out if they don't need them, and supporting businesses that are reducing their plastic footprint.

Canada is also providing support to small businesses to find new ways to reduce plastic waste and turn waste into valuable resources supporting a circular economy. This includes providing funding to small and medium-sized enterprises working to reduce plastic waste from food packaging, construction waste, marine vessels, and fishing gear, as well as improving plastic recycling through artificial intelligence and refining technologies for bioplastics.

Investing in Canadian innovation

Canada has a number of strategies in place to reduce plastic pollution, including the Greening Government Strategy, which aims to eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use plastics in government operations, meetings and events, and to purchase more sustainable plastic products that can be reused, repaired or repurposed. The government is also committed to finding ways to stop plastic and other types of waste, retain the value of products, and facilitate the transition to a circular economy.

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment is also working to develop an action plan to implement the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste. This includes ongoing work with provinces, territories, businesses, and others to reduce plastic pollution.

Canada has also been mobilising international support to address plastic pollution. At the 2018 G7 in Charlevoix, Canada launched the Ocean Plastics Charter, which outlines concrete actions to eradicate plastic pollution and recognises the need for urgent action to address the devastating impacts of marine litter on the health and sustainability of our oceans, seas, coastal communities, and ecosystems.

Banning harmful single-use plastics

Canada has been taking steps to reduce plastic pollution by working with provinces, territories, businesses, and other organisations. The government is also working to develop an action plan to implement the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste.

One of the key steps Canada can take to stop plastic pollution is to ban harmful single-use plastics. This includes phasing out all non-recyclable plastic packaging polymers such as polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene. Canada should also bring back refill and reuse options for major single-use plastic sources, such as beverage bottles, grocery stores, restaurants, and shipping. For example, Canada could encourage the use of reusable mugs, food containers, and shopping bags.

Canada should also ban the burning of plastic waste as a form of recycling. This practice, known as "greenwashing", is misleading and contributes to pollution. Instead, Canada should focus on reducing the use of single-use plastics and promoting the use of sustainable plastic products that can be reused, repaired, or repurposed. This could include providing incentives for businesses that reduce their plastic footprint and educating citizens on how to properly recycle and compost plastic waste.

Additionally, Canada can support innovation in the plastic industry to find new ways to reduce plastic waste and turn it into valuable resources. This could include providing funding and resources to small and medium-sized enterprises that are working to reduce plastic waste from food packaging, construction waste, marine vessels, and fishing gear. Canada can also continue to mobilise international support to address plastic pollution, such as through the Ocean Plastics Charter launched at the 2018 G7 in Charlevoix.

Refilling and reusing

Canada has been taking steps to reduce plastic pollution, working with provinces, territories, businesses, and other organisations. The Canadian government has launched the Ocean Plastics Charter, which outlines concrete actions to eradicate plastic pollution. The government is also working to eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use plastics in government operations, meetings and events, and is encouraging the use of more sustainable plastic products that can be reused, repaired or repurposed. Canada's Greening Government Strategy is driving action within the federal government and guiding practical steps to manage the use and disposal of plastics within its own operations.

Canada is also supporting small businesses to find new ways to reduce plastic waste and turn waste into valuable resources supporting a circular economy. The Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenge has provided over $10 million to 18 small- and medium-sized enterprises, which are working to reduce plastic waste from food packaging, construction waste, marine vessels, and fishing gear.

Canada can further reduce plastic pollution by encouraging refilling and reusing. This can be done by bringing back refill and reuse to major single-use plastic sources like beverage bottles, grocery stores, restaurants and shipping. For example, grocery stores can encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags, and restaurants can offer discounts to customers who bring their own containers for leftovers. Beverage companies can also be incentivised to use refillable bottles, rather than single-use plastic bottles.

Individuals can also play a role by choosing to use reusable products like mugs, food containers and shopping bags. They can also support businesses that are reducing their plastic footprint and choose plastic products that are recyclable. By making these simple changes, individuals can make a significant impact in reducing plastic pollution.

Additionally, Canada can invest in infrastructure to support refilling and reusing. For example, the government can provide funding for public water fountains and bottle refill stations, making it easier for people to refill their own water bottles instead of buying single-use plastic bottles. The government can also work with businesses to create incentives for customers who bring their own containers, such as discounts or loyalty programs. By encouraging refilling and reusing, Canada can take significant steps towards reducing plastic pollution and creating a more sustainable future.

Frequently asked questions