What’s the deal with Canada’s plastics ban? | About That

You might have noticed that your takeout containers and grocery bags are no longer plastic. Canada has banned the manufacture and import of six types of single-use plastics. Peter Ross, senior scientist at the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, tells us what's the deal with the ban and why it's an important step forward.

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[Dahlar]

I remember when they told us styrofoam was killing the planet in the 1990's and phased it out and now it seems styrofoam is back in a big way!

[category]

Not surprising from our Crime Minister. What kills me is the cardboard ties for the bread loaf, sold but you get it in a huge plastic bag ...well done !!!!lol we are saving the world

[randomrazr]

dumb question, alot of this plastic is seen in the ocean. how does it end up in the ocean? like do we literally just "dump" it all in the ocean? not landfills?

[raysilke]

I used my plastic shopping bags to collect kitchen trash to be sent to the large can, now I have to purchase kitchen bags to use. In my eyes there’s nothing changed besides my cost of bags! Not only do I have to purchase reusable bags every time I get groceries it now I also purchase garbage bags with the exact same amount of plastic waste!

[dennis]

The government demands us to do something but there is no where for this recycling to go! So what is the point. Even paper does not get 100 percent recycled. Some great ideas out there but are not implemented.

[georgedavidson]

No research done on this topic. Watch. “. The Ocean Clean Up “”

[Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

"So, tell me. When are we going to take on the toy industry?"- The Grinch.

[michaelcampbell]

Most of there material that we put into recycling bins just go to landfills. Plastic packing has reduced food spoilage. We just need to dispose of plastics in a better way. Incineration of plastics is practised in many locations including Europe. Much better than burying in a landfill.

[hughmungus]

Outstanding job CBC! You managed to say nothing whatsoever on what will replace these newly banned items. How will people stir their coffee, hold their containers of cola together, etc. etc.?

[BudzzableRides]

Makes more sense than the carbon tax cash grab.

[wandaborowy]

Now do i have to carry dishes, cutlery, glasses with me?

[Oi]

I love paper straws in my plastic cups 🤡

[jeffforbess]

Paper straws are the worst. The wooden utensils are meh. All the other stuff is fine.

[JJs_playground]

When are they going to ban plastic bottles?

[aerialkat]

For more than 20 years I have been bringing my own reusable containers and cutlery with me when I go out in case I need to get something to go. I won’t shop places that don’t let me use my own containers.

[reisschancellor]

I'm using way more reusable plastic bags than before the ban.

[markdc]

The amount of disposables in use today is despicable. Take a look at Europe, most single use plastic has been banned there for several decades.

[Gonezoe]

Try to wrap you're head around this one. Our company recently "upgraded" all the lighting in the schools in my small town. We tore down metal repairable fixtures, put up plastic unrepairable ones. (LEDs) Doubled the wiring inside of every fixture for "Low voltage dimming" and just one singular light was packaged in, around a 1'x1'x1' amount of plastic bits for shipping. Better yet the cardboard boxes were PLASTIC coated so not a single thing could be recycled, other then the old lights.. AND all under the rouse of "GOING GREEN"

Its all just a giant FARSE. all that to save money on hydro electricity?

[bowbender]

Yes....only use " drink box water bottle sort of things"

[jimgarriock]

Is the sweater Peter wearing polar fleece? Just wondering, if it is and if he knows polar fleece is thee worst contributor to micro-plastics into the great lakes.