Single-use plastic ban unlikely

By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express

The banning of single-use plastics has gained great traction over the past year, but it doesn’t appear Durham Region will officially join the movement.

Earlier this year, council directed staff to report on the legal and practical implications of such a ban.

Staff had indicated in 2013 that a ban could lead to a legal challenge from retailers.

Single-use plastics include plastic bags, water bottles, coffee lids, straws, cutlery, and fast food takeout containers.

According to a report included in the Aug. 31 council information package, Canada only takes in 11 per cent of plastic for recycling.

Plastics can end up in lakes and rivers through runoff from smaller bodies of water.

In June, the Ocean Plastics Charter was signed by five G7 countries, including Canada.

The Canadian government is seeking public feedback on a National Zero Plastic Waste Strategy.

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment has also begun discussions of creating a circular economy to build demand for plastics that can be reused.

Similar efforts are being made on the provincial level with the Waste Free Ontario Act of 2016.

Commissioner of works Susan Siopis said the best option for the region would be to support these actions.

“The Government of Canada has identified plastic waste as a priority issue and is actively consulting on actions,” Siopis wrote in her report. “Rather than take a piecemeal approach that could be challenged legally, the region will continue to support federal and provincial efforts to develop policies and action plans to curb the use of single-use plastics in Canada.”

Vancouver became the first major Canadian city to ban plastic straws this May and is working to become totally plastic waste-free by 2040.

Larger companies such as A&W Canada and IKEA Canada have also pledged to eliminate plastic waste.