Canada has made the move to ban “harmful” single-use plastics by the end of the year!
The Canadian government announced that it would no longer manufacture or import single-use plastics.
This comes as Canada’s Environment Ministry is trying to do all it can to combat pollution and lessen the effects of climate change.
“The ban on the manufacture and import of these harmful single-use plastics, barring a few targeted exceptions to recognize specific cases, will come into effect in December 2022,” it said in a statement.
It explained that they were realistic about their goals, adding: “To provide businesses in Canada with enough time to transition and to deplete their existing stocks, the sale of these items will be prohibited as of December 2023.”
It also said that by 2025, the exportation of such plastics will also be banned, helping prevent further plastic pollution worldwide.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced similar plans in 2019, tweeted about the incredible news: “We promised to ban harmful single-use plastics, and we’re keeping that promise,” he wrote.
“Over the next 10 years, this ban will result in the estimated elimination of over 1.3 million tonnes of plastic waste and more than 22,000 tonnes of plastic pollution. That’s equal to a million garbage bags full of litter,” he added.
The environment and climate change minister, Steven Guilbeault also shared his thoughts on the ban, writing: “With these new regulations, we’re taking a historic step forward in reducing plastic pollution, and keeping our communities and the places we love clean.”
Single-use plastics are currently one of Canada’s biggest polluting factors, with 15 billion grocery bags, and 16 million straws used and discarded on a daily basis.
While the announcement is a step in the right direction, Greenpeace Canada said there is still a long way to go.
Sarah King, head of their oceans and plastics campaign, said in a statement: “The release of the regulations is a critical step forward, but we still aren’t even at the starting line. The government needs to shift into high gear by expanding the ban list and cutting overall plastic production.”