On October 7, the Government of Canada stated that they will implement a ban on plastic items such as straws, stir sticks, carry-out bags, cutlery, takeout containers and six-pack rings for cans and bottles by the end of 2021.
“The announcement aligns with the Surrey Board of Trade’s 2019 policy calling for the phasing out of single-use plastics,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “There are innovative industry opportunities that are available now, or that can be developed, that will lead to new employment opportunities.”
“The world produces hundreds of millions of tons of plastic every year, most of which cannot be recycled. It’s obvious that we need to use less plastic, move towards environmentally sustainable products and services, and come up with technology that recycles plastic more efficiently.”
Plastic packaging accounts for nearly half of all plastic waste globally, and much of it is thrown away within just a few minutes of its first use. Trash bags, Ziplock bags, cereal bags, bubble wrap, clear plastic wrap, some plastic store bags, single cheese wrappers, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles, most food packaging, toys, potato chip bags, candy wrappers, plastic rings that hold six-packs of beer or soda bottles and cans, are all examples of single-use plastics.
The federal government now has a duty to further consult Canadians. This consultation is open until December 9: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/canadian-environmental-protection-act-registry/plastics-proposed-integrated-management-approach.html
The finalized new regulations wouldn’t come into effect until the end of 2021.
It should be noted that the Surrey Board of Trade is the only business organization (chamber of commerce/board of trade) as part of the Metro Vancouver National Zero Waste Council.
Read the Surrey Board of Trade policy https://businessinsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/SBOT-Resolution-on-Plastics-FINAL-1.pdf
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For further details, please contact:
Anita Huberman, CEO, anita@businessinsurrey.com, 604-634-0342
