Canada bans single-use plastic bags and styrofoam products

Canadian Environment Minister Steven Gilbo will ban Canadian companies from importing and manufacturing disposable plastic bags and styrofoam takeout containers until the end of this year. It then announced that it will ban sales by the end of next year and exports to overseas countries by the end of 2025.

Canada had previously announced such a ban, but it had disappointed environmental advocates as its implementation was delayed. Canada originally planned to ban these products only in Korea and continue to ship them overseas.

In addition to bags and takeout boxes, the ban also applies to table containers such as plastic straws, bags, knife fork spoons, and six-pack rings containing cans and bottles.

Last year, the Canadian federal government classified plastic as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, paving the way for banning some plastics. However, the consortium of plastic producers sued the government in protest of the government's designation of toxic substances, and a hearing is expected to take place later this year.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had promised in June 2019 that he would phase out the production and use of plastic products that are difficult to recycle to eliminate plastic waste by the end of 2020.

Prime Minister Trudeau first said the ban would take effect in 2021, but the scientific evaluation of plastic needed to implement the ban has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plastic waste is an increasing problem worldwide, with only about 10% of manufactured plastics being recycled.

According to a study published by Canada's Environment and Climate Change, Canada dumped 3.3 million tons of plastic in 2019, almost half of which were plastic packaging materials. Less than a tenth of them were recycled, and most were eventually dumped in landfills, where it takes hundreds of years to decompose.

Date: 2021-06-15

Reporter: 서화목