Enviro Law - Canada
Did you know that Canada is planning to ban single use plastics by the end of 2021? Many municipalities have already created bylaws to reduce and eliminate plastic while many others are planning to follow. Use this page as your resource to learn about current legislation in your province.
Learn more ➥ http://plasticactioncentre.ca/
Find out more about the shopping bag regulations across Canada from ➥The Retail Council
“We have a responsibility to work with our partners to reduce plastic pollution, protect the environment, and create jobs and grow our economy. We owe it to our kids to keep the environment clean and safe for generations to come.”
• The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada •
➥Prime Minister Government Canada Website 2019/06/10
BC Legislation
Large municipalities in BC have already banned single use plastics or are planning to.
- Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags and single use plastics must be sorted, cleaned and then can be brought to specific depots
- BC has an organics (compost) program in many municipalities and encourages backyard composting
Vancouver Bans Plastic Bags, Straws, Foam Containers and Other Single-use Items
"Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, plastic and compostable plastic shopping bags will be prohibited"
➥National Post 2019/11/19
Plastics Action Plan
“The City of Victoria was the first municipality in B.C. to ban plastic bags in July 2018 through a business licensing bylaw.”
➥Ministry Of Environment And Climate Change Strategy 2019/07/25
Just The Facts Composting
"67% of all the methane generated in Metro Vancouver comes from landfills. Diverting organics from the landfill reduces emissions."
➥Recycling Council of British Columbia 2015/03/04
Alberta Legislation
Large municipalities in Alberta grapple with what to do with plastic waste. Some are introducing a zero-waste strategy.
- Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags and single use plastics must be sorted, cleaned and then can be brought to specific depots
- Alberta has an organics (compost) program in Calgary and encourages backyard composting
Calgary Is Spending $130,000 To "Fix" Their Recycling Problems & Dump Everything In A Landfill
"The City of Calgary announced on Tuesday that they have run out of all options to recycle more than 2,000 tonnes of pre-stored plastic waste, and instead will be forced to bury them in a landfill."
➥Narcity News 2019/08/20
New Edmonton Garbage Plan Includes Single-use Plastic Ban
"The report calls for the city to bring in a single-use plastics ban for 2021."
➥Global News 2019/08/20
Circular Economy and Zero Plastics Waste
“...only 9% of plastics are being recycled across Canada. Another 4% are going into energy recovery and the remainder end up in landfill...”
➥Alberta Plastics Recycling Association 2020/01/01
Saskatchewan Legislation
Large Municipalities are discussing ways to prepare to reduce plastic bag consumption.
- Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags and single use plastics must be sorted, cleaned and then can be brought to specific depots
- Saskatchewan has an organics (compost) program in some municipalities and encourages backyard composting
Notice of Motion to Ban Plastic Bags to be Tabled at Regina City Council Meeting
"We're in a society where we reduce recycle reuse and recycle. The first thing we should try and do is reduce."
➥CBC News 2019/0919
Prince Albert City Council Backs Single-use Plastic Bag Ban
“Prince Albert is believed to be the first city in Saskatchewan to have banned single-use plastic checkout bags.”
➥The Canadian Press 2020/01/28
Manitoba Legislation
The Province of Manitoba is considering ways to eliminate the use of plastic bags.
- Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags and single use plastics must be sorted, cleaned and then can be brought to specific depots
- Manitoba has an organics (compost) program.
Pulling plastic: City puts forward motion to ban single use plastics
"A motion to ban single use plastic bottles, plastic straws, and plastic stir sticks has been proposed by City Councillor"
➥CTV News 2019//12/02
Civic Committee Gets Ball Rolling on Single-use Plastic Ban
"(The Pas, Snow Lake, Leaf Rapids and Thompson) have already prohibited the sale and distribution of such items."
➥Winnipeg Free Press 2019/12/02
Recycle With Confidence
“Plastic bags can be recycled at specified drop off locations”
➥Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM) 2020/01/01
Ontario Legislation
Ontario is weighing a ban on single-use plastics, which include bags, water bottles and straws. Large municipalities have yet to ban plastic.
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Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags and single use plastics must be sorted, cleaned and then can be brought to specific depots
- Ontario has a curbside organics (compost) program in many municipalities
Toronto Needs Your Help in its Quest To End Plastic Pollution
"...There's mounting evidence that microscopic remnants of these single-use or takeaway items are ending up in the food we eat and the water we drink."
➥CBC News 2018/10/17
How Waste is Regulated in Ontario
“...some municipalities have now begun using their regulatory powers to compel businesses to be more proactive in reducing waste....”
➥Recycling Council of Ontario 2020/01/01
Quebec Legislation
- Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags (single use) are banned
- Quebec has a curbside organics (compost) program.
Montreal to Fully Ban Plastic Bags by End of 2020, Mayor Announces
"...move to fully ban the distribution of plastic bags by the end of 2020."
➥National Post 2020/02/05
Banning Single-use Plastic Bags
“...prohibiting the distribution of certain types of shopping bags in retail stores...”
➥Ville de Montreal 2018/01/01
PEI Legislation
The first province to ban single-use plastic bags!
- Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags are garbage and not recyclable
- PEI has a curbside organics (compost) program.
Plastic Bag Reduction
“...the law is to reduce waste and environmental damage resulting from single-use checkout bags and to encourage a shift to use of reusable bags.”
➥PEI Canada 2019/11/01
Newfoundland and Labrador Legislation
Plastic bags are being phased out - retail plastic bags will be banned effective July 1,2020.
- Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags can be sorted, cleaned and brought to specific depots
- Newfoundland does not have curbside organics (compost) program but encourages composting.
New Brunswick Legislation
- Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags are garbage and not recyclable
- New Brunswick has a curbside organics (compost) program in St Johns
- Several of New Brunswick's Regional Solid Waste Commissions have set up an Organic Waste Program
N.B. municipalities vote in favour of province-wide plastic bag ban as Atlantic Canadians say loud and clear: governments and manufacturers have to clean up their act
"The Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick will call on the provincial government to ban single-use plastic bags across the province."
➥Conservation Council 2019/09/07
Tons of plastic bags stockpiled in New Brunswick as options are considered
“At Moncton's sorting centre, 16 tonnes of plastic bags arrive each month through the recycling program. Since 2017, the bags have been stockpiled and put away in containers, though the centre is not surprised to hear the waste from some facilities ended up dumped in Southeast Asia.”
➥CBC News 2019/10/23
Nova Scotia Legislation
- Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags and single use plastics must be sorted, cleaned and then can be brought to specific depots
- Nova Scotia has a curbside organics (compost) program.
Sorting Guides
“Recycling and composting programs are administered by municipalities, and vary throughout the province, depending on where you live. Nova Scotia has seven solid waste-resource management regions.”
➥Divert Nova Scotia
Yukon Legislation
There is one recycling facility, serving the general public and businesses in Whitehorse, and providing processing facilities for all Yukon communities.
- Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags can be recycled at ONE depot after being sorted and cleaned
- Whitehorse has curbside organics (compost) program
Where Does My Recycling Go?
Raven Recycling is the Yukon’s only social enterprise. ➥https://ravenrecycling.org/
Northwest Territories Legislation
There are two key laws in Northwest Territories that affect waste and recycling activities. The Environmental Protection Act and the Waste Reduction and Recovery Act
- Plastic straws are garbage and not recyclable
- Plastic bags are garbage and not recyclable
- Yellowknife has curbside organics (compost) program
Plastic Bans & Fees
“Consumers pay 25¢ for each single-use retail bag they get from a store. This 25¢ then goes into the Environment Fund.”
➥Plastic Action Centre 01/01/11
Nunavut Legislation
There are currently no recycling programs in Nunavut.
Iqaluit to get new $35M dump, replacing current one dubbed 'environmental disaster'
"By 2020, a new landfill and sorting facility is expected to open up in the community after the city got $35 million in funding."
➥CBC News 2018/07/26
Plastics in Nunavut
“Nunavut does not yet have legislation that pertains directly to solid waste management, nor is there a specific strategy for solid waste management. Nunavut has an Environmental Protection Act that focuses on preservation, protection, and enhancement of the environment.”
➥Plastic Action Centre 2020/01/01