Tell the government: REDUCE and REUSE must be part of a Zero Plastic Waste Strategy

In October, the federal government finally announced a long-awaited list of single-use plastics to be banned in Canada… that only included six items.

This ban is part of the government's plan to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030. A plan that has industry’s fingerprints all over it and is mostly based on the false hope that we can recycle our way out of the plastic pollution crisis. The reality is that in the last 70 years, the plastics industry has only been able to recycle 9% of the plastic produced worldwide. With a similar track record in Canada, tackling the other 91% is a pipedream without massive reduction.

To create real change and move away from this "take-make-waste" pattern, Canada’s strategy must include zero waste fundamentals: REDUCE at source and REUSE targets, as well as a wider ban on non-essential single-use plastics.

The government is seeking public input on its strategy before December 9th. Now’s the moment to tell Minister Wilkinson that we need real action to transition to a truly circular, zero waste economy. Send a clear message that we need bold action to tackle the waste crisis.

Tell the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change that Reduction and Reuse are key for Canada’s zero plastic waste strategy!

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Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage
Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Dear Minister Wilkinson,

Thank you for the opportunity to add my voice to the public consultation on the Discussion Paper: A proposed integrated management approach to plastic products to prevent waste and pollution. 
Considering the gravity of this problem, the damage that has already been done to the Great Lakes, Canadian coastlines, climate and wider environment, I believe the consultation questions are not focusing on the right approach.

First, I want to express my surprise and disappointment at the announcement of the list of single-use plastics that will be banned in 2021. These six proposed items are far from representing all of the disposable plastics that are polluting my community and that end up, mostly, in landfills.

I am requesting that you expand the proposed ban list to ensure it includes cups and lids, bottles and caps, disposable dishware, cotton swabs, balloon sticks, oxo-degradable plastics and plastics labelled ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’, black and dark coloured plastics, plastic packaging made of mixed materials and all forms of polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Our current linear model is at the root of the global plastic pollution crisis. To actually move towards a zero waste and low carbon economy, your government must commit to a massive reduction in plastic production and incentivize the development of reuse systems across relevant sectors, rather than relying entirely on recycling and the industry to make “better” plastic.

In fact, to me it seems very optimistic that a recycling industry that has so far been unable to recycle 91% of the plastics collected annually in Canada can be transformed by 2030 into an effective and actual circular economy model. Especially with production not being halted.

A comprehensive waste reduction and pollution prevention strategy must include the following:

•setting clear, time bound reduction targets on plastic production and across sectors that utilize or sell single-use plastics for packaging (eg. retail sector).
•expanding the ban to include the items noted above;
•working with all levels of government to ensure producers and polluters are held responsible for the full lifecycle of their products, including designing for the environment and covering cleanup cost;
•invest in delivery systems centred on reuse/reusables, refill and new and innovative alternative product distribution models, that are zero waste, low carbon and socially responsible; and,
•banning the export of plastic waste to the Global South.

I believe that now more than ever, we need to rethink our product delivery systems to ensure they are healthy for wildlife, for ourselves and our communities and for other communities around the world. With a growing number of studies showing human exposures to plastic and toxic additives in all aspects of our lives, I am very concerned that your government is not taking a precautionary approach.
We need the Canadian government to get serious about our plastic problem. The current approach won’t cut it and is delaying a transition to the single-use plastic free future I want. Please act now to stop our plastic problem at the source.

Thank you,

{user_data~First Name}

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