Policy framework
National Action Plan
Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste
Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste
– Brief description:
Canada remains committed to implementing its comprehensive agenda toward its vision of zero plastic waste by 2030. Canada is taking a circular economy approach with a range of actions spanning the plastics lifecycle to prevent and reduce plastic waste and pollution from land and aquatic-based sources. This is complemented by actions at all levels of government, industry and civil society.
In November 2018, Canadian Environment Ministers agreed to work collectively toward a common goal of zero plastic waste. To this end, they approved in principle a Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste , which outlines a vision to keep all plastics in the economy and out of landfills and the environment. The Strategy aligns with the Ocean Plastics Charter-a key outcome of Canada’s G7 Presidency in 2018-and was developed with input from industry, non-governmental organizations and Canadians. It outlines areas where changes are needed across the plastic lifecycle, from design to collection, clean-up and value recovery, and underscores the economic and business opportunities resulting from long-lasting and durable plastics.
Federal, provincial and territorial governments adopted a Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste to implement the Strategy. The Phase 1 Action Plan, adopted in June 2019, focuses government efforts across a broad range of activities. This includes: achieving consistent extended producer responsibility programs (which place responsibility on companies that manufacture plastic products or sell items with plastic packaging to manage the collection and recycling of these products at their end-of-life); a roadmap to address single-use and disposable plastics; support for recycling infrastructure and innovation in plastics manufacturing; tools for green procurement practices; and, a roadmap to create targets for specific sectors to strengthen value retention processes such as repair, reuse, refurbishment and remanufacture.
In July 2020, Environment Ministers approved the second and final phase of the Action Plan. The Phase 2 Action Plan outlines timelines for tangible, coordinated action to: improve consumer, business and institution awareness; reduce waste and pollution from aquatic activities including fishing and aquaculture; advance science on the impacts of plastics pollution and inform solutions along the value chain; support capture, clean-up and prevention of plastic pollution; and contribute to global action. Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers also agreed to work together to consider how to mitigate environmental impacts related to the increased amounts of waste generated by the use of personal protective equipment such as single-use masks, gloves and gowns due to COVID-19.
Legal framework
Canadian Environmental Protection Act
Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations
– Brief description:
The Government of Canada has over 10 federal acts, regulations and agreements that contribute to the prevention of marine plastic litter, including microplastics. In particular, the Canada Shipping Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) prohibit the discharge or disposal of litter in Canadian waters. The Fisheries Act prohibits the deposit of deleterious substances into domestic waters frequented by fish and prohibits serious harm to fish and fish habitat. In addition, the Species at Risk Act contains a provision for the protection of Critical Habitat for listed species, including the marine environment for aquatic species at risk. Notably, the Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations prohibit plastic microbeads-containing toiletries, such as bath and body products, skin cleansers and toothpaste. In November 2016, Canada amended the Export and Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations to define as “hazardous” any waste, including household waste that is considered hazardous or controlled by an importing country that is a Party to the Basel Convention. A Canadian exporter must seek a permit before exporting hazardous waste to another country. Canada also ratified the new plastic waste amendments of the Basel Convention and since January 1, 2021 is implementing them through its Regulations.
In October 2020, Canada announced the next steps in its agenda. Canada proposed to ban or restrict select single use plastics (plastic checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, ringed beverage carriers, cutlery, and foodservice ware made from hard-to-recycle plastics), where there is evidence that they are found in the environment, are often not recycled, and have readily available alternatives. Canada also proposed to establish recycled content requirements in products and packaging. This will drive investment in recycling infrastructure, build capacity and spur innovation in technology and product design to extend the life of plastic materials. The announcement included the release of a discussion paper on the proposed approach for public comment.
In May 2021, “plastic manufactured items” was added to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). This means that the Government of Canada has the authorities to use CEPA to enact regulations and other risk management tools to change behaviour at key stages in the lifecycle of plastic products and create the conditions for achieving a circular plastics economy.
Canada also implements its obligations under several legally binding international agreements that contribute to preventing waste and litter, including the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and the London Convention and Protocol to prevent marine pollution by dumping at sea. Canada also adopted other international frameworks for action such as: the Ocean Plastics Charter, G7 Action Plan to Combat Marine Litter, the G20 Action Plan on Marine Litter and Implementation Framework, International Maritime Organization Action Plan to Address Marine Litter from Ships, and the plastics-related United Nations Environment Assembly resolutions.
Indicators
Canada has adopted a goal of zero plastic waste by 2030.
The Ocean Plastics Charter, championed by Canada during its 2018 G7 Presidency, includes actions across the plastics lifecycle to reduce plastic waste and pollution. Specific Ocean Plastic Charter targets:
· Working with industry towards 100% reusable, recyclable, or where viable alternatives do not exist, recoverable plastics by 2030;
· Working with industry towards increasing recycled content by at least 50% in plastic products where applicable by 2030;
· Working with industry and other levels of government to recycle and reuse at least 55% of plastic packaging by 2030 and recover 100% of all plastics by 2040; and
· Working with industry towards reducing the use of plastic microbeads in rinse-off cosmetic and personal care consumer products, to the extent possible by 2020, and addressing other sources of microplastics.
The Government of Canada is leading by example and has committed to divert at least 75% of plastic waste from federal operations by 2030.
Through the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators program, Canada has established the plastic particles in the Northern Fulmar indicator. This provides information on the mass of plastic found in the Northern Fulmars’ stomach in birds collected in Canada. The Northern Fulmar is a seabird that feeds exclusively on the surface (top 1 metre) in the open ocean. The indicator reports the proportion of birds with 0.1 g or more of plastic in their stomachs and gives an overview of the situation at the national and the regional levels.
In 2018, Environment Ministers endorsed a broader aspirational Canada-wide waste reduction goal (for all waste, including plastics). In 2014, every Canadian threw away on average 706 kg of waste. The goal will reduce this number by 30 per cent per person by 2030, with a 50 per cent reduction by 2040.
Canada has also endorsed relevant international commitments, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals target 14.1 to prevent and significantly reduce marine litter by 2025 and the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision that aims to reduce additional marine plastic pollution to zero by 2050.
Measures
Measures |
Achievements |
Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation |
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Charge for single-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags, straws) |
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Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda · Proposed ban on harmful single use plastic items Targeted products: Plastic checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, ringed beverage carriers, cutlery, and foodservice ware made from hard-to-recycle plastics Brief description: In October 2020, Canada announced the next steps in its agenda to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030. One of these steps is a proposed ban on harmful single-use plastic items where there is evidence that they are found in the environment, are often not recycled, and have readily available alternatives. Based on those criteria, the six items the Government proposes to ban or restrict are plastic checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, ringed beverage carriers, cutlery, and foodservice ware made from hard-to-recycle plastics. A range of tools are in place at the sub-national level to reduce plastic waste including: extended producer responsibility programs for packaging, take back programs, access to curbside and depot recycling programs, landfill bans as well as bans or levies on single use plastics. For instance, the Northwest Territories requires retailers to charge CA 25 cents for single use bags. Companies have also instituted fees to consumers for plastic bags, switched to available alternatives, implemented bans on certain single use plastics or provide rebates for reusable containers. |
We do not see any particular trend Comments: It is too early to measure the performance of the proposed ban or restrictions on harmful single use plastics but positive outcomes are anticipated. |
Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design |
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Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda · National product standards · Greening operations and procurement · Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges · Extended producer responsibility programs · Value-retention processes Brief description: Canada’s comprehensive agenda to reduce plastic waste and pollution embraces a resource efficient and circular economy approach to address the entire plastics value chain. This includes activities that help to prevent and reduce plastic generation such as: · proposed recycled content requirements in products and packaging; · reducing plastic waste from federal operations, by diverting 75% of plastic waste by 2030; eliminating unnecessary use of single-use plastics; and, purchasing more sustainable products; · investing in innovation through the Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges; and, · working with and supporting industry to improve product design and the recovery of all plastics. In June 2021, Canada published the Socio-Economic and Environmental Study on Remanufacturing and Other Value-Retention Processes in Canada for public comment. The Government of Canada will develop a national strategy to encourage the remanufacturing of products and other value-retention processes such as refurbishment, repair and reuse. The federal, provincial and territorial governments are also working together to: · achieve consistent extended producer responsibility programs across Canada; · develop a roadmap to address single-use and disposable plastics; · establish national performance requirements for plastic products and packaging (e.g. standards for recycled content and bio-based plastics); · support recycling infrastructure and innovation in plastics manufacturing; · develop a roadmap that identifies sectors for strengthened value retention processes; and, · develop guidelines and tools for green procurement practices. |
We do not see any particular trend Comments: Since 2018, through the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative, 12 industry and non-profit organizations have received over CA $2.7 million to advance innovative and sector specific solutions that improve the sustainable design and production of plastics, strengthen secondary markets and support Canada’s transition to a circular plastics economy. Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges presented in section 3.4. Numerical data if any: It is too early to measure the performance of these initiatives but positive outcomes are anticipated. |
Regulation on microplastics |
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Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda · Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations · Listing microbeads on Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act · Listing plastic manufactured items on Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act Brief description: In June 2017, the Government of Canada published the Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations, listing microbeads on Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). The regulations prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of toiletries used to exfoliate or cleanse that contain plastic microbeads, including non-prescription drugs and natural health products, starting January 1, 2018 with a complete ban as of July 2019. In May 2021, “plastic manufactured items” was added to Schedule 1 to CEPA. This means that the Government of Canada has the authorities to use CEPA to enact regulations and other risk management tools to change behaviour at key stages in the lifecycle of plastic products and create the conditions for achieving a circular plastics economy and to reduce plastic pollution, including microplastics. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years As of July 2019, the manufacture, import and sale of all toiletries that contain plastic microbeads, including non-prescription drugs and natural health are prohibited in Canada. The Microbeads in Toiletries regulations help protect the environment by reducing the quantity of plastic microbeads entering Canadian aquatic ecosystems. |
Measures |
Achievements |
Environmentally sound waste management |
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Enforcement of proper waste management system |
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Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda
Brief description: Internationally, Canada participates in key international fora, such as the G7, G20, Basel Convention Partnership on Plastic Waste, the International Resource Panel, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), to strengthen resource efficiency and waste management practices globally. Canada invested CA $100 million to support solutions for environmentally sound waste management and plastic pollution mitigation and remediation in developing countries. Environmentally sound waste management is a shared responsibility in Canada. A range of policies, programs and regulatory initiatives at all levels of government drive improvements in the production, use, disposal and recovery of materials. The federal government has responsibilities for the transboundary movement of hazardous waste and hazardous recyclable materials, identifying best practices to reduce possible toxic pollution from waste, and developing guidance or other supporting measures. The Government of Canada also invests in waste and wastewater infrastructure. Provincial, territorial and municipal governments have implemented regulatory (e.g. product or landfill bans, incentives, extended producer responsibility programs, litter by-laws) and non-regulatory measures (e.g. educational campaigns, recycling and deposit programs) that target some plastic products and other wastes. These efforts play an important role in collecting plastics from households and other sources that help to reduce marine debris. |
We do not see any particular trend Numerical data if any: · All provinces and territories have regulated extended producer responsibility programs in place, excluding Nunavut. There are over 160 regulated and voluntary stewardship programs in Canada covering more than 20 product categories including packaging and beverage containers. · Canada contributed CA $6 million to the Global Plastic Action Partnership, which has supported the launch of four national action plans in Indonesia, Ghana, Vietnam and Nigeria. |
Prevention of littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean |
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Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda
Brief description: Internationally, Canada has invested CA $100 million to support developing countries in preventing the leakage of plastic waste into the environment. This includes advancing gender equity elements in plastic pollution through the World Bank ProBlue Fund and supporting the development of national action plans in Indonesia, Ghana, Vietnam and Nigeria via the Global Plastic Action Partnership. Domestically, Canada is taking action to prevent the leakage of plastics to the environment via its comprehensive agenda on zero plastic waste. Through actions across the lifecycle of plastics, Canada intends to achieve systematic change to keep plastics in the economy and out of the environment. This includes activities to support consumer education, investments in waste infrastructure and systems, and supporting best practices. Through the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste and Action Plan, federal, provincial and territorial governments have committed to develop guidance or identify best practices to reduce plastic waste entering the environment from: · Natural disasters and spill events · Stormwater, wastewater and industrial discharges, and · Food and organic waste processing and sewage biosolids. In addition, Canada is assessing infrastructure gaps and opportunities to improve waste collection and recycling for marinas, ports and harbours. Through the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative, the Government of Canada invested over CA $5 million (2018-2022) to raise awareness and educate consumers and youth; develop and advance citizen science; mitigate plastic pollution leakage points; and develop, test and implement solutions to prevent, assess and remove plastic pollution. The Government of Canada has also launched social media campaigns to curb littering, including from personal protective equipment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years Numerical data if any: · Twenty-eight projects have been funded since 2018 through the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative, leveraging over $5.6 million in funds (public and private) and engaging over 100 partner organizations. |
Measures |
Achievements |
Cleanup of marine plastic litter |
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Collection of scattered waste on beach |
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Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda · Zero Plastic Waste Initiative · Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up Brief description: Through the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste and Action Plan, federal, provincial and territorial governments have committed to support prevention, capture and clean-ups efforts, as well as research and development for effective technologies to reduce plastic pollution. Through the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative, the Government of Canada invested over CA $5 million (2018-2022) to raise awareness and educate consumers and youth; develop and advance citizen science; mitigate plastic pollution leakage points; and develop, test and implement solutions to prevent, assess and remove plastic pollution. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years Comments: The amount of collected marine litter has increased since 2018 (not necessarily indicative of more litter but indicates an improvement in citizen participation in clean-ups). The value of investments and number of marine litter projects has increased since 2018. Numerical data if any: Zero Plastic Waste Initiative · ~330 tons of litter removed across Canada (2018-2020) · For example, since 2020, the Council of the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay Forever have collectively diverted 13,097kg of debris from the Great Lakes (97kg and 13,000kg, respectively). This debris was diverted through the use of litter capture technologies such as Seabins, Littatraps, and Gutter Bins. Since September 2020, the International Fund for Animal Welfare Inc. and the Clean Harbours Initiative diverted an estimated 6,804kg of debris from Newfoundland harbours through the completion of 10 dives. Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup · Since 1994, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup has engaged more than 937,000 volunteers to clean up 44,262km of freshwater and marine shorelines in Canada, removing more than 2 million kg of trash. |
Removal of plastic litter from the ocean |
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Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda · Sustainable Fisheries Solutions and Retrieval Support Contribution Program (Ghost Gear Fund) Brief description: Through the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste and Action Plan, federal, provincial and territorial governments have also committed to work with fishing and aquaculture harvesters and industry to: · Develop requirements or best practices for the use of plastics in operations and increase reporting, tracking and retrieval of lost gear; · Address regulatory barriers to retrieve lost gear; · support design, technologies and other innovations to prevent, mitigate and retrieve gear; and, · evaluate best policy options to increase collection and end-of-life management of gear. Canada’s Sustainable Fisheries Solutions and Retrieval Support Contribution Program investment of CA $8.3 million (2020-2022) supports the prevention and retrieval of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing and aquaculture gear. It will also support fish harvesters to acquire new gear technologies to reduce gear loss. This is the first fund of its kind that dedicates a significant source of funds specifically to combat ghost gear. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years |
Comments: A baseline has not been established in order to measure trends against. The value of investments and number of plastic pollution removal projects has increased since 2018. Numerical data if any: · An estimated 69 tons of lost or discarded gear removed from Atlantic Canada in 2020 · In July 2019, the Government of Canada conducted a 3-day ghost gear retrieval expedition called Operation Ghost in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This operation focused on areas with concentrations of ghost gear, removing 101 crab pots and 9.1km of rope from the water and returning 10,614lbs of crab back to the water. |
Measures |
Achievements |
Promotion of innovative solutions |
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Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (e.g. biodegradable plastics, circular product design – including use of recycled materials or closed loop recycling and so on) |
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Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda · Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges · G7 Innovation Challenge to Address Marine Plastic Litter Brief description: The Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges are part of Canada’s comprehensive approach to addressing plastic waste and pollution. This program provides funding to small and medium-sized enterprises to incentivize the development of technology to address plastic waste. Through the Canadian Plastic Innovation Challenge, the government is investing nearly $19 million to support Canadian innovators and small and medium-sized businesses to develop solutions for plastics challenges. The Challenges include, among other categories, supporting innovation in reducing plastic waste and microfibers from textiles, finding sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging, developing sustainable fishing and aquaculture gear, and developing innovative solutions to address plastic waste and toxic substances from electronics. Successful applicants receive up to $150,000 to develop a proof of concept and subsequently up to $1 million to develop a prototype if selected. Canada is also investing in innovation internationally, including $20 million to support the G7 Innovation Challenge to Address Marine Plastic Litter. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years Numerical data if any: Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges · 17 challenges supported by 8 departments across 15 sectors, such as automotive, textiles, packaging, fishing gear, fiberglass boats · $19M overall awarded to Canadian innovators and small and medium-sized businesses to address plastics challenge · Two new challenges for recycling technologies to process personal protective equipment (PPE) waste were launched under the COVID Response challenge stream The Government of Canada hosted the international 2020 Gear Innovation Summit in Halifax in February 2020. Attended by over 250 stakeholders, the Summit provided an opportunity to hear from leaders in ghost gear programming and learn how we can best prevent, reduce and retrieve ghost gear using recognized best practices and new innovative technologies. |
Public-private partnerships for creating and implementing innovative solutions |
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Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda · Canada Plastics Pact Brief description: The Government of Canada is working with all levels of government, Indigenous communities, industry, non-profit organizations, researchers and civil society to reduce plastic waste and pollution. This includes engagement with key stakeholders on measures throughout the process. The Government of Canada is also supporting businesses and organizations to engage key stakeholders in advancing solutions to transition Canada to a circular plastics economy. For instance, through the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative , Canada has supported leading businesses and organizations to move towards a circular plastics economy, including assessing options to reduce agricultural plastic waste , creating an online market place for secondary plastics from the industrial, commercial and institutional sector, and evaluating the recycling value chain and identifying pilot projects for hard to recycle items such as medical PVC . In January 2021, the industry-led Canada Plastic Pact was launched with over 40 founding partners, including Environment and Climate Change Canada. The Pact is part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Plastics Pact Network and brings together organizations from the national plastic value chain to collaborate and rethink the way plastic packaging is designed, used and reused to realize a circular economy for plastic in Canada. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years Numerical data if any: · 12 industry and non-profit organizations have received over CA $2.7 million to advance innovative and sector specific solutions that improve the sustainable design and production of plastics, strengthen secondary markets and support Canada’s transition to a circular plastics economy. |
3.4.3 Others |
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Canada also recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the increased use, waste and litter of personal protective equipment (PPE). The government is investing in PPE-specific recycling technologies, improving our understanding of littered PPE through citizen science, and supporting the health care sector to develop hospital protocols that target the sustainable procurement, sterilization and re-use, and recycling of its PPE waste. |
Measures |
Achievements |
Education and awareness raising |
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Education system for encouraging public awareness on MPL issues |
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Canada has supported educational resources to inform youth about the impacts of plastic pollution and how to sustainably buy, use, dispose or recycle their plastic products, such as: the Anthropocene Educational Program and Ocean Plastic Education Kit , reaching over 22,000 Canadian teachers. The Government of Canada has an online video game – Climate Kids Plastics and Oceans – to engage youth about the issue. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years Numerical data if any: · Over 1.2 million Canadians have been reached through engagement including social media, educational outreach, as well as education and awareness materials (e.g. infographics and signage) |
Awareness raising campaigns related to MPL |
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National level: Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda · 10,000 Changes · Be Plastic Wise · Anti-litter social media campaigns Brief description: Federal, provincial and territorial governments have committed to strengthening information exchange and awareness that engage and enable Canadians and businesses to make sustainable choices to better manage plastic resources. This includes promoting tools and best practices and developing guidance on the use of labels and terms such as recyclable and compostable. The Government of Canada supports organizations to raise awareness and develop educational materials on the issue. For instance, Canada supported the 10,000 Changes and Plastic Wise national awareness raising campaigns. Canada has also used social media to raise awareness of PPE waste and litter. Local level: Municipal governments and local organizations implement awareness raising initiatives to address local and regional needs. For example, through the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative, Canada supports the Ocean Friendly Nova Scotia program created by Coastal Action. This is a business recognition program to reduce single-use plastics in Nova Scotia. International / Regional level: Participation in international initiatives Brief description: Canada participates in initiatives that increase awareness of marine plastic litter regionally and internationally. For instance, Canada, the United States and Mexico work collaboratively through the Commission for Environmental Cooperation to implement pilot projects, facilitate community action and increase awareness of marine plastic litter in North America. Canada is also a member of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter and has pledged to the Clean Seas campaign, both initiatives have awareness raising components. |
National level: We see a positive improvement from last two years |
Numerical data if any: · Over 24,000 Canadians pledged to take action to reduce plastic waste and pollution through The 10,000 Changes and Plastic Wise campaigns · The number of Canadian pledges to national campaigns has improved since 2018. Access to educational and awareness materials has increased since 2018. · In 2018, Canada held an online public consultation seeking input from Canadians on how to move toward zero plastic waste. Canada received over 13,000 comments from Canadians. Local level: We see a positive improvement from last two years International / Regional level: We see a positive improvement from last two years |
Measures |
Achievements |
Monitoring & Scientific research on marine plastic litter |
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Actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics |
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Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda · Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda · Investments in science Brief description: Canada supports, conducts and shares scientific research that informs evidence-based decision making, spurs innovation and helps to track progress. In June 2019, Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda (CaPSA) was published providing a framework that spans the lifecycle of plastics to inform future science and research investments for:
· understanding and mitigating potential impacts on wildlife, human health and the environment; · advancing sustainable plastic production, recycling and recovery; and · providing the evidence needed to support decision making as we move toward a zero plastic waste future. Canada, as per the Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste, will support research, including R&D and innovations, along the plastics value chain to inform decision-making and identify opportunities for improved circularity in the economy. Canada will also develop and maintain national data on plastic use in the economy and their management; develop guidance for Canada-wide monitoring to detect and assess plastic pollution using harmonized approaches; and facilitate collaborative networks to share knowledge. The Canadian Government has invested more than $10 million in robust science to address priority research gaps. Plastics Science for a Cleaner Future , the Increasing Knowledge on Plastic Pollution Initiative and the Northern Contaminants Program are recent steps on our investments in research to better understand the impacts of plastic pollution and support solutions across the value chain. |
The value of investments and number of science projects has increased since 2018. |
Engagement in international/regional level actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics |
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Canada’s comprehensive zero plastic waste agenda · Participation in international science Brief description: Canada participates in international and regional initiatives to advance effective science via method development, monitoring and information exchange. Some examples of participation are provided here. Canada is active in the Arctic Council efforts tackling plastic pollution. Canada is working with international partners to coordinate research and monitoring on litter and microplastics through the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). This includes producing internationally supported reviews and recommendations for monitoring plastics in 11 environmental compartments to assess fate and transport of plastic pollution. Canada also works on the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) international team to assess what bird species in the Arctic can be used to track and assess plastic pollution, including seabirds and shorebirds as focal groups that feed specifically at the waters surface in many regions of the world. Through the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) working group, Canada participated in the desktop study on marine litter, including microplastics. In addition, through the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES), Canada is working with partners in the North Pacific on assessing potential indicators for the North Pacific region through a rubric exercise. This work will review the need for bioindicators to track plastic in marine food webs over time, identify baselines and targets, and determine if mitigation targets will be met in the future. |
We see a positive improvement from last two years |
The value of investments and engagement has increased since 2018. |
Challenges
Recycling system improvement
Data collection related to waste in general
Data collection related to marine plastic litter
Project delays due to COVID-19
Best practices
o National level
Examples:
- Best management practices for disposal bans, levies and incentives for end-of-life plastics
- Solid waste management for northern and remote communities
- Canada-wide Action Plan for Extended Producer Responsibility
- Canadian Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Operations
- How Do We Use and Recover More Compostable Packaging? – Canadian Perspectives
- Online Design Portfolio Celebrating Canadian design for waste prevention and systems-thinking
- 10,000 Changes (public awareness campaign and education)
- Plastic Wise public awareness campaign
- Waste Literacy Education
- Anthropocene Education Program
o Local level
Examples:
- Best Practices Guide for the Collection and Handling of Polyethylene Plastic Bags and Film in Municipal Curbside Recycling Programs
- Information for municipalities considering a ban on single-use shopping bags
- Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup (reports & technical guides, including best practices for litter Seabins)
o Private sector
Examples:
- Circular Economy Business Toolkit
- Canadian Produce Marketing Association Preferred Plastics Guide
- Operation Clean Sweep
- Black Plastic Recycling Technologies
- Plastics Optical Sorting Technologies
- Medical PVC Recycling Pilot Program – PVC 123
- A Roadmap to Support the Circularity and Recycling of Plastics in Canada
- Guidelines for how to start and run a bulk reuse and refillery business
- Plastic Reduction Partner (for restaurants, chefs and other food professionals to reduce plastic waste)
o International cooperation
Examples:
Further information
· Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste:
o Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste Phase 1
o Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste Phase 2
- Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda
- Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution
- A proposed integrated management approach to plastic products: discussion paper – Canada.ca
- Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 155, Number 10: Final Order Adding plastic manufactured items to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
- Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations
- Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges
- Zero Plastic Waste Initiative
- Combatting marine litter: Ghost gear
- Reducing plastic waste in federal operations
- Economic study of the Canadian plastic industry, markets and waste: summary report
- Socio-economic and Environmental Study on Remanufacturing and Other Value-Retention Processes in Canada
Contact details
Sarah Da Silva, Environment and Climate Change Canada,
sarah.dasilva@canada.ca