On March 2nd at the United Nations Environment Assembly, 175 nations agreed to develop a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution, addressing the full lifecycle of plastic, from production to end of life. This is a huge win for the planet, but it’s also a great demonstration of the power of collective action. Coordinated petitions from Plastics Treaty, Environmental Defence, and The Break Free From Plastic movement garnered widespread public support, sending a strong message to our national governments, resulting in this historic resolution.

Today, we have the opportunity to take action even closer to home. The federal government has drafted a regulation that would prohibit the manufacture and sale of certain Single Use Plastics, which is very exciting! However, there are some glaring omissions and concerning loopholes within the language of the proposed regulations. Here’s the good news: YOU get to tell them what you think! The public comment period is open until March 5th, which means we have no time to lose. We’ve assembled this easy how-to guide so everyone has the chance to make their voice heard.

HOW TO GIVE FEEDBACK

1. < 1 minute: Add your name to Oceana’s open letter

2. 2 - 5 minutes: Copy the example email below and send in a new email to plastiques-plastics@ec.gc.ca

3. 40 minutes +: Read the Single Use Plastics Prohibitions Regulations (link below) and send your feedback to plastiques-plastics@ec.gc.ca

OPTION 2: EXAMPLE EMAIL

Attn: Plastics Consultation, Plastics Regulatory Affairs Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Re: Proposed Regulations and Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement Canada Gazette, Part I, December 25, 2021

Dear Honourable Minister Steven Guilbeault,

I support the Single Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations proposed by the federal government, however I have strong concerns about the language used and parameters set by the current wording of the bill. Pollution caused by plastic throughout its lifecycle drives the existential threats posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, making it one of the most pressing environmental concerns of our times. 

We in Canada use more plastic per person than almost any other country in the world, and as one of the biggest global producers of plastic, we are in a unique position to step up and demonstrate true leadership. As such, I urge you to consider strengthening the proposed regulations, particularly as regards the following areas:

With regard to the six proposed items:

• Include other harmful Single-Use Plastics within the bill

With readily available alternatives for items such as film-plastic produce bags and take-out cups and lids, these items could easily be included.

• Change the wording to prevent the use of other Single-Use Plastics being used as substitutes for regulated items

Single-Use Low-density and High-Density Polyethylene cannot be permitted as reasonable alternatives for any of the regulated items.

• Require new plastics to include significant post-consumer recycled content

To stimulate the recycling economy and reduce dependency on virgin resins.

With regard to the non-application of exports:

• Do not allow for export of Single-Use Plastics

Plastic pollution is a transboundary issue; plastic we export will continue to have deleterious effects on the health and wellbeing of Canadians, and will continue to wash up on Canadian shorelines. Whilst I recognise that domestic manufacturers are competing in the global market and that Canada has international trade agreements to uphold, Canada also has internationally binding commitments to limit global warming and environmental pollution, both of which are undermined by the expansion of plastic production. We must show a stronger commitment to reducing our global contribution to the plastic pollution crisis.

Further comments on the scope of the regulations:

• Impose ambitious recycling targets and expand producer responsibility for diverting post-consumer waste

The marked exclusion of items such as single use plastic water bottles due to being highly recyclable must be underpinned by a clear plan to increase recycling rates; with hundreds of millions of bottles being “lost” from recycling streams annually, the current system is clearly not working.

• Develop national standards to regulate the use of non-conventional plastic such as bioplastic, as well as multi-material packaging

These materials are not universally compostable, contaminate recycling streams, are confusing to consumers, and usually end up in landfills where they produce greenhouse gases, or accumulate in the environment where they have the same harmful effects as conventional plastic.

• Commit to ongoing monitoring

This must be clearly defined to demonstrate the effectiveness of the regulations.

Whilst these regulations are an encouraging first step on our national journey to Zero Plastic Waste, further ambitious actions must be taken that address the full lifecycle of plastic if we are to meet our international commitments:

• Accelerate the transition away from a single-use and linear economy by incentivising reuse and eliminating hard-to-recycle materials, including the prohibition of harmful additives in plastics which undermine their recyclability.

• Reduce plastic and petro-chemical production and invest in a just transition for workers.

• Impose strict controls on plastic waste exports to ensure they are not being dumped in the Global South.

• Develop a comprehensive funding strategy for plastic cleanup and environmental remediation.

The severity of the environmental threat posed by plastic pollution requires immediate government action. I urge you to prioritise implementation of these regulations as soon as possible.

Thank you for your thorough research and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

NAME

ADDRESS

OPTION 3: WRITE YOUR OWN FEEDBACK

Feedback should include the following for each specific comment:

1. The section of the proposed Regulations, Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement, or draft Guidance for Selecting Alternatives to which the comment relates

e.g., 5(1)(a)(i) of the regulatory text; “Select Canadian Market Characteristics” section of the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement;“Considerations for Alternative Single-use Plastics” section of the draft Guidance for Selecting Alternatives;

2. The comment itself; and

3. Any supporting information or rationale.

Helpful links:

Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 155, Number 52: Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations

Guidance for selecting alternatives to the single-use plastics in the proposed Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations