Appeal Court Ruling Allows Canada’s Single-Use Plastics Ban to Continue

On Friday, January 30, the Federal Court of Appeal upheld its decision to list plastic manufactured items as a “toxic substance” under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). 

This listing enables the federal government to regulate plastic products, including through the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations. In its decision, the Court found the government’s approach to be reasonable, recognizing that plastics have the potential to cause harm to both human health and the environment. 

As a result of this ruling, the federal ban on six categories of single-use plastics remains in effect: 

• Bags 
• Straws 
• Stir sticks 
• Cutlery 
• Ring carriers 
• Certain takeout containers 

“The RCA believes that maintaining the ban will help advance a circular economy for plastics in Canada,” said Executive Director Jennifer Koole. “The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s definition of a circular economy emphasizes eliminating waste and pollution as the first step, followed by circulating products and materials at their highest value and regenerating nature. It is also important to recognize the impacts of all single-use materials and to continue exploring reduction and reuse models.” 

As discussions around plastics policy continue, the Recycling Council of Alberta remains committed to working with governments, industry, and communities to advance practical, evidence-based solutions that reduce waste and keep valuable materials in use. 
 
In 2024, the RCA released Vision 2030 with a mission to advance the circular economy in Alberta. The RCA’s work is focused on wider systems change to move from a linear to a circular economy, and government policy is one key component to attain that mission and the vision of a waste-free world.  

Read the full Federal Court of Appeal Decision

Read more about the RCA R-Ladder – a tool to rank strategies based on how circular they are