Canadian restaurants and cafes are prohibited from providing customers with plastic straws, food containers, checkout bags, or cutlery, marking a significant step in the country’s commitment to achieving zero plastic waste by 2030. Despite a recent court ruling deeming such restrictions unconstitutional, the government proceeded with the ban, seeking a stay on the order pending an appeal. The regulation aims to tackle the staggering three million tonnes of plastic waste discarded annually by Canadians, with only nine percent currently being recycled.
Diners and eateries in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, near Montreal, faced the immediate challenge of depleting their remaining plastic inventory as the ban took effect. While some, like 29-year-old Charles Desgens, applaud the law for pushing store owners to make the switch, others, including restaurant owner Emile Doucet, acknowledge the ongoing struggle to find viable alternatives to plastic.
Canada’s move aligns with global efforts to combat plastic pollution, as echoed by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), which stressed the need to halve single-use plastics and significantly enhance recycling and reuse initiatives. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault emphasized the scientific evidence supporting the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on wildlife and the environment.
