Federal Liberal government initiates ban on single-use plastics

On Wednesday the federal government announced the next phase of its plan to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030. The plan aims, through its actions, to protect wildlife and our waters, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs.

One of the main components of the plan is to eliminate harmful single-use plastics, which, according to a press release, are often not recycled and have readily available alternatives. The government wants to ban several plastic items in the single-use category.

On Wednesday, the government proposed to ban plastic checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, cutlery, and food containers made from hard-to-recycle plastics. The plan also outlines methods to improve the process to recover and recycle plastic.

“These items are harmful to our environment and their value is lost from the economy when they are tossed in the trash,” said Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. “This proposed ban will help drive innovation across the country as new and easier to recycle items take their place in our economy.”

Wilkinson added that many Canadians are aware of the negative effects plastic is creating in their communities and waterways. The government hopes its plastics initiative will encourage innovative recycling technology and designs to extend the life of plastic materials.

Wilkinson also announced over $2 million in financial assistance to the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative for 14 new Canadian-led plastic reduction initiatives. The new projects will look at ways to remove plastic from the environment solutions.

With these new initiatives, the government estimates Canadians can reduce 1.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year and create approximately 42,000 jobs across the country.

While the government diverts its attention to plastic waste, it also assured the population that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) remains a top priority, especially for frontline health care workers. The new projects will not affect access to PPE. using innovative