GATINEAU, QC—Canada’s cherished landscapes, including beaches, parks, streets and shorelines are suffering due to the issue of plastic pollution. In recognition of the detrimental effects on nature and wildlife, the Government of Canada is taking a proactive stance toward this challenge. Reducing plastic pollution is the focus and transitioning to a circular economy that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics, preventing their entry into the environment.
On December 30, 2023, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, minister of environment and climate change, initiated a consultation for the establishment of the Federal Plastics Registry. This registry aims to serve as a monitoring tool, tracking plastic production from inception to disposal. It is a crucial component of Canada’s comprehensive plan to combat plastic pollution and waste.
The proposed registry mandates annual reporting by producers on the volume and types of plastic introduced to the Canadian market, its economic journey and the management of plastic at the end of its lifecycle. By recording this data, the registry will monitor plastics within the economy. The government intends to use this information to gauge progress towards the goal of zero plastic waste and to devise strategies expediting the transition to a circular economy. The proposed Federal Plastics Registry encompasses major plastic product categories, including packaging, single-use items, construction materials and transportation.
Key aspects of the Federal Plastics Registry include increasing existing reporting obligations, unifying plastic data nationwide and providing open access to this information for Canadians and businesses through an innovative reporting platform. The consultation period, open to all interested parties, extends until February 13, 2024.
Canada’s commitment to combating plastic pollution involves collaborative efforts with provinces, territories and international partners. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) is actively working towards implementing the Canada-Wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste and Action Plan. The proposed registry aligns with the Action Plan’s commitment to developing and maintaining comprehensive national data on the plastics economy. The government’s approach involves evidence-based and comprehensive actions spanning the plastics lifecycle.
The government emphasizes its ongoing collaboration with Canadians in undertaking significant measures to preserve the environment free from plastic pollution. Minister Guilbeault emphasizes the role of the Federal Plastics Registry as a vital tool to track and manage plastics across the economy, holding producers accountable and propelling Canada towards a circular plastics economy.
In 2019, Canadians disposed of 4.4 million tonnes of plastic waste, with only nine percent recycled.
