Canadian House of Commons Report – The Impacts of a Ban on Certain Single-Use Plastic Items on Industry, Human Health and the Environment in Canada
The Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development released a report on “The Impacts of a Ban on Certain Single-Use Plastic Items on Industry, Human Health and the Environment in Canada.”
Between 12 April and 5 May 2021, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (the Committee) studied the Government of Canada’s announced intention to regulate plastic manufactured items using the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), and to ban certain single-use plastic items. The Committee undertook this study to examine, among other things, the impacts that the federal government’s approach might have on Canadian small business and the plastics industry, on the environment, and on human health. The Committee heard from witnesses on various topics, including the present operations and the possible future of the Canadian plastics industry, the impacts of plastic pollution on the environment and human health, and how the Government of Canada intends to manage plastics in the future.
As a result of their deliberations, the Committee’s recommendations related to this study are listed below:
Recommendation 1:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada amend its regulatory process to provide more certainty to groups that are affected by potential regulations in terms of economic costs and environmental impacts.
Recommendation 2:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada convene a working group to study the impacts of microplastics on the environment and human health, including studying the effects of bioaccumulated microplastics.
Recommendation 3:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada set a clear intention to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities in any policy or regulation it adopts regarding single-use plastics.
Recommendation 4:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada host a roundtable for reuse companies and organizations, working with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, to learn more about what infrastructure is needed to support reuse across Canada.
Recommendation 5:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada invest in expanding the country’s recycling infrastructure and innovation, including by supporting the expansion of collection and sorting systems, and by investing in innovative technologies that can improve the rate at which plastics are recycled.
Recommendation 6:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada publish additional information on its work to harmonize recycling standards across Canada and seek additional opportunities to advance this harmonization in collaboration with provinces and territories, industry and communities.
Recommendation 7:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provinces and territories:
- continue its work with the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) to develop guidelines for EPR programs across the country; and
- provide an update about the status of its EPR work with the CCME.
Recommendation 8:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada work with the CCME to provide more regular progress reports on CCME work.
Recommendation 9:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada work with partners to accelerate the development and implementation of minimum recycled content standards.
Recommendation 10:
The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada take steps to help Canadians distinguish between plastics and plastic alternatives based on how recyclable, compostable or biodegradable they are by, for example, establishing national labelling standards.