Canada Publishes Proposed Single Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations
The proposed Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette on December 25, 2021. The proposed regulations would prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of six categories of single use plastics (SUPs): checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware made from or containing problematic plastics, ring carriers (typically known as six-pack rings), stir sticks, and straws.
The proposed Regulations clarify that “foodservice ware made from or containing problematic plastics” encompasses clamshell containers, lidded containers, cartons/boxes, cups, plates, and bowls that are: 1) used for serving or transporting prepared food or beverages and 2) are made from extruded or expanded polystyrene foam, polyvinyl chloride, oxo-degradable plastics, or that contain the additive “carbon black.”
Readily available substitutes to the six categories of SUPs exist, according to the proposed Regulations. These are listed as:
- Paper for SUP checkout bags
- Wood for SUP cutlery
- Paper, molded fiber, aluminum, and recyclable plastics for SUP foodservice ware made from or containing problematic plastics
- Paper, molded fiber, recyclable plastics, and plastic film for SUP ring carriers
- Wood for SUP stir sticks
- Paper for SUP straws
Other substitutes to the six categories of SUPs mentioned are reusable manufactured items, made from a variety of materials including durable plastics, metals, wood, glass, silicone, and fabrics.
Items manufactured, imported, or sold for export would be exempted from the Regulations. Additionally, exemptions also would exist to accommodate people with disabilities.
The prohibitions on sale of straws would come into force one year after the proposed Regulations are registered. The prohibition on sale for 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.