The Federal government is taking action to get more people recycling and keep plastics out of our landfill sites.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson has announced his plan to phase out grocery bags, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, plastic cutlery and food takeout containers made from hard-to-recycle plastics.
Wilkinson says “These are things that are harmful in the environment. They are things that are difficult or costly to recycle. And that there are readily available and affordable alternatives. And for each of them that is true.”
He says the aim to eliminate these single-use plastics by the end of next year.
“Regulations with respect to this ban will be finalized by the end of 2021. When a ban comes into effect your local stores will be providing you with alternatives to these plastic products like reusable or paper bags in place of plastic.”
Wilkinson says Canadians have been demanding this action for some time and most big businesses are on board with the changes.
“Canadians throw away about 3 million tonnes of plastic waste every year which is equal to 570 garbage bags, full, every minute, every day. And only 9% of that plastic is presently recycled. The rest goes to landfills or into our environment.”
Wilkinson notes the European target for recycling is 90%.
The move is one part of what Wilkinson described as a “comprehensive plan” aimed at getting plastic producers to take more responsibility for collecting and recycling their products.
It comes at a time when struggling Alberta has raised questions about the potential impacts of a plastic ban.
Wilkinson says “Alberta has expressed some concerns about the ban. I would simply say that the ban is a very small part of the plastics industry in Canada and the utilization of plastics in Canada and it is really focused on those specific items that are very hard to recycle. So it’s hard to see how it will have any significant bearing on the development of a recycling industry.”
He adds he doesn’t see any conflict and is applauding the government of Alberta’s commitment to look into building a Centre of Excellence for Recycling.
