Canada Just Embarked Upon a Program to Ban Single Use Plastic.
So why can't we?
Effective December 20, 2022, Canada banned “…. the manufacture and import for sale of single-use plastics in an effort to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.” (1)
“The ban covers single-use plastics including checkout bags, cutlery, food service ware, ring carriers, stir sticks and straws….” (1)
The Canadians aren’t alone. In October, England will begin similar controls. (2) Other nations and jurisdictions (including a few states and municipalities in the U.S.) have already acted. (3) (4)
I daresay that federal action is appropriate (if not essential). Unfortunately, the draft Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act has languished in Congress for some time now. (5) It has no immediate prospects for passage.
Executive action, perhaps? Here’s one: “The US Department of the Interior will halt the sale of single-use plastics in national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands, though not entirely until 2032, with a reduction planned in the meantime.” (6)
Coffee stirrers and such. On public lands. By the year 2032. Goodie-goodie-gumdrops.
The State Department has compiled a list of waste management initiatives (including plastic) being undertaken by federal agencies. Excuse me, but I’m rather underwhelmed by the award of $1.5 million for the retrieval of ghost fishing gear floating around in the Caribbean. (7) (Well, okay, that’s nice, but….)
And whither the world? The fifth United Nations Environmental Assembly, which met last year “...saw the adoption of a landmark mandate calling for the development of a global treaty on plastics. ‘End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument’ is a comprehensive, ambitious mandate that lays the groundwork to negotiate a comprehensive treaty.” (8) It’ll take time. Here’s hoping.
Meanwhile, it’s back to individual action. May each of us work conscientiously to reduce the amounts and types of plastic that we use.
Sources:
(1) https://globalnews.ca/news/9356362/single-use-plastic-ban-dec-20/
(2) https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/england-ban-some-single-use-plastic-items-october-2023-01-14/
(3) https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/plastic-bans-around-the-world/
(5) https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/pollution-act/
(7) https://www.state.gov/u-s-actions-to-address-plastic-pollution/
(8) https://www.plasticstreaty.org/unea-5-2-major-step-toward-a-comprehensive-plastics-treaty/