The federal government says it is putting its planned ban on exporting single-use plastics on hold. Officials say new tariffs and supply chain problems are putting heavy pressure on Canada’s economy.
On Saturday, the government launched a 70-day public consultation through the Canada Gazette to ask for feedback on not moving ahead with the export ban.
The government says the environmental benefits of the ban would be small compared to the economic harm it could cause.
According to the Gazette notice, Canada’s plastic industry earned about $35 billion in 2023 by shipping single-use plastics. While some companies have switched to paper, fibre, or compostable products, many have not.
Most of the companies that still make single-use plastics are small businesses. The government says delaying the export ban will help prevent job losses and avoid shutting down factories or wasting equipment.
Companies that continue to export single-use plastics will be required to keep records for five years showing that their products are being sent outside Canada.
The ban on using single-use plastics inside Canada, such as plastic grocery bags, straws, cutlery, and drink rings, will stay in place.
The government says the pause on the export ban is expected to have very little impact on plastic pollution in Canada.
Internationally, the government says plastic products are sold in a global market. If Canada stops exporting them, buyers will simply turn to other countries. As a result, the government does not expect a Canadian export ban to reduce plastic pollution worldwide.
