what you need to consider: Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations

The Canadian government has implemented the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (SUPPR) as a part of its comprehensive strategy to tackle pollution, reach its goal of zero plastic waste by 2030, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

 

The Regulations banned the production, importation, and vending of disposable plastic checkout bags, utensils, food packaging crafted from or including troublesome plastics, loop handles, stirrers, and drinking straws. However, the Regulations include an exemption that permits the availability of single-use plastic flexible straws subject to specific conditions (which are detailed in the accompanying guidance documents), in order to ensure that those who require them can still acquire them.

 

The Regulations forbid the production, importation, and vending of six groups of disposable plastics:

  • Checkout bags: Intended to transport bought items from a commercial establishment and are commonly handed over to customers at the point of sale.
  • Cutlery:
    • Knives
    • Forks
    • Spoons
    • Sporks
    • Chopsticks
  • Food containers intended for serving or transporting ready-to-consume food or drinks, which:
  • contains:
    • expanded polystyrene foam
    • extruded polystyrene foam
    • polyvinyl chloride
    • carbon black
    • an oxo-degradable plastic
  • Are restricted to the subsequent items:
    • clamshell containers
    • lidded containers
    • boxes
    • cups
    • plates
    • bowls
  • Ring carriers: items specifically created to encircle beverage containers for the purpose of holding them together.
  • Stir sticks: Intended for the stirring or blending of beverages or for preventing spillage from the lid of a container.
  • Straws include:
    • straight drinking straws, and
    • flexible straws, which feature a ribbed section that permits the straw to bend, packaged along with beverage containers such as juice boxes and pouches.

For more details, please visit

Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations: Overview – Canada.ca

Single-use Plastics Prohibitions Regulations Technical Guidelines – Canada.ca