According to the Government of Canada news release on February 17, 2023, Canadians want concrete action to better manage plastics—to protect the environment, conserve biodiversity, and strengthen the economy. The Government of Canada is continuing to bring forward new measures to improve how plastic is made, used, and managed to move toward the goal of zero plastic waste.
The Government of Canada is releasing a report on what it heard from two public consultations focused on:
- Developing rules for recyclability and compostability labelling
- Establishing a federal plastics registry for the plastic products industry
From July 25, 2022, to October 7, 2022, the Government asked Canadians, stakeholders, industry, and provincial, territorial and local governments to share their views on new labelling rules that would better inform consumers and strengthen recycling and composting of plastics in Canada. The Government also sought views on developing a registry for producers to report on the plastics they put into the economy.
New labelling rules are being developed that would prohibit the use of the circular three-arrow symbol (often referred to as the chasing-arrows symbol) and other recyclability claims on plastic packaging and single-use plastics unless specific conditions are met. These conditions may include that at least 80 percent of Canadians have access to recycling systems that accept, sort, and re-process these plastics.
In addition, new rules are being considered to control the use of terms such as “compostable”, “degradable”, or “biodegradable” in the labelling of plastic packaging and single-use plastic items. These new rules would help Canadians make informed decisions about the plastics they buy, and how to properly dispose of the products at their end of life. The labelling rules would be part of new regulations that would also require minimum levels of recycled plastic in certain products.
In addition, the Government of Canada is committed to establishing a federal plastics registry that would require annual reporting of plastics in the Canadian economy and how these products are managed at the end of their lives. The registry would also collect and publish data for Canadians on the entire life cycle of plastics in Canada.
The Government intends to publish a proposed framework for the recycled content and labelling regulations later this year, which will be available for public consultation. Comments received on this framework will inform the proposed regulations that are targeted for publication before the end of the year.
“Far too many plastics end up in our landfills, our waterways, on our streets, and in our environment. We must find a way to keep plastics in our economy, instead of in our waste. That means strengthening recycling and other systems to keep plastics in circulation, and helping consumers better understand the impact of the plastics they are buying. We need clearer labelling, better data collection, and enhanced rules for responsible supply chains, and producers that are consistent, comprehensive, and transparent. Together, these tools will help Canada make measurable progress toward zero plastic waste.” The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Quick facts
- In 2018, Canadians threw away 4.4 million tonnes of plastic waste, only 8 percent of which was recycled. Plastic pollution has harmful impacts on nature and wildlife.
- On June 22, 2022, the Government of Canada published the final Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II. Over the next decade, it is estimated that these Regulations will eliminate over 1.3 million tonnes of hard-to-recycle plastic waste and more than 22,000 tonnes of plastic pollution, which is equivalent to over a million garbage bags full of litter.
- The new labelling rules and the federal plastics registry are important parts of Canada’s comprehensive plan to prevent plastic pollution through a life-cycle approach.
Contacts
Kaitlin Power
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-230-1557
Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
