Canada to ban single-use plastic products

Recently, the Canadian government issued final regulations banning certain single-use plastic products, including checkout bags, cutlery, food packaging containing difficult-to-recycle plastics, ring trays, stirring rods and most straws. The ban on plastic products will go into effect in December 2022, but these items are still allowed to be sold until December 2023 to reduce inventories. By the end of 2025, the export of these six types of plastic products will be banned.

Canadian Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said: "Plastic pollution can be present in outdoor air, food and drinking water. By addressing this problem, we will improve the health of all Canadians. These new regulations mark a sign that Canada At a turning point, we are taking strong action to protect the environment and create cleaner, healthier communities."

The Canadian Chemical Industry Association (CIAC) has opposed, arguing that such measures would be counterproductive. Elena Mantagaris, vice president of plastics at CIAC, said: "We need to invest in building plastic recycling infrastructure and innovation, rather than relying on a paper ban to solve the problem."