Research February 1, 2021
Plenty of low-hanging fruit for feds to pick in curbing consumption of single-use plastics
By Michael Rennie, Research Fellow
As we continue to witness many regions of the country experiencing undulating waves of COVID-19 infections (and related shutterings and (re)openings), it seems fair to say that there are many aspects of our lives that have changed forever.
One important difference seems to be our use of plastics.
Plastics continue to be a major part of our daily lives here in Canada, as they are durable, relatively inexpensive to produce, and versatile enough for use in a diverse range of products. However, the quantity and ability to recycle these products far outstrip their usefulness.
In fact, less than 10% of plastics in Canada are recycled, contributing to over 3 million tons of plastic being thrown into landfills or into the environment each year. Over one third of plastics produced in Canada are for single-use packaging or products—such as plastic bags, take-out containers, and bottlecaps—one of the largest sources of plastics found in fresh water.
Part and parcel of the changes drafted into our daily life brought about by COVID-19, Canadians’ reliance on certain types of single-use plastics has increased.
We all remember when, at the height of the outbreak, some provincial health officials advised against using reusable bags and containers in grocery stores, with several chains banning them outright in favour of plastic bags. Although many of these restrictions are now being lifted, it may still be a while before consumers return to reusable bags.
Policymakers are also facing pressure to reverse or suspend legislation that would address plastic waste and pollution, such as Canada’s proposal to ban harmful single-use plastics by 2021.
The quantity and ability to recycle these plastics products far outstrip their usefulness.
And it doesn’t stop there; perhaps the most noticeable increase in plastic pollution brought about by COVID-19 has been in the form of single-use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gloves.
Single-use PPE is an absolutely necessary and effective public health measure, but these products are not always discarded properly and may end up as litter that can ultimately enter our waterways. How many did you see in the parking lot on your last trip to the grocery store?
Indeed, a recent study identifies plastic facemasks as a potential source of microplastic fibres in the environment. Although research is already underway to develop biodegradable or recyclable masks, even a temporary surge in plastic litter can lead to long-term impacts for freshwater environments.
So, let’s talk about the impact on the environment for a second.
In aquatic environments, organisms of all types—from algae to fish to birds—ingest or interact with plastics, causing reproductive issues, behaviour changes, starvation, physical harm and, in some cases, death.
When they break down into microplastics (< 5mm), these particles can easily travel long distances across watersheds where they can be ingested by fish, birds, and other animals—including humans. As an emerging threat to freshwater environments with potential human health implications, further scientific research on the sources, fate, and effects of microplastics is critical.
While this may sound all doom and gloom, there is actually some rather low-hanging fruit here that the federal government can easily enact to mitigate many of the potential long-term impacts of this surge in plastics use on the environment.
It is now up to us to build back better, and ensure that we balance ongoing surges in plastics usage with efforts to mitigate those impacts—all in the interests of ensuring the prosperity of Canadians and our environments for generations to come.
First, we need to move forward with our planned Canada-wide strategy on zero plastic waste, including a ban on harmful single-use plastic items by 2021. The recently announced federal ban on some single-use plastics is certainly encouraging, but there remains much to do if we are to meet the ultimate goal of zero plastic waste.
Part of Canada’s action plan to ensure a green recovery from COVID-19 should include incentives for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and researchers to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce and prevent plastic pollution in fresh water, as well as better understand its effects.
Next, we need to see more education on proper disposal practices for PPE to ensure that those critical products do not end up as litter in our environment, including our freshwater resources.
And for the plastics that we can’t divert from waste streams, the federal government also needs to collaborate with industry and all levels of government to develop harmonized waste management procedures and innovative domestic recycling programs to ensure we are disposing of our plastics effectively and responsibly.
While COVID-19 has drafted in a series of lifestyle adjustments that no one could have anticipated, it is now up to us to build back better, and ensure that we balance ongoing surges in plastics usage with efforts to mitigate those impacts—all in the interests of ensuring the prosperity of Canadians and our environments for generations to come.
This article originally appeared in The Hill Times on February 1, 2021. It has been reprinted with permission.
You know that ground-breaking freshwater research you just read about? Well, that’s actually down to you.
It’s only thanks to our generous donors that the world’s freshwater laboratory—an independent not-for-profit—can continue to do what we do. And that means everything from exploring what happens when cannabis flushes and oil spills into a lake, to how we can reduce mercury in fish and algal blooms in fresh water—all to keep our water clean around the world for generations to come.
We know that these are difficult times, but the knowledge to act on scientific evidence has never been more important. Neither has your support.
If you believe in whole ecosystem science and using it to bring about real change to fresh water around the globe, please support us in any way you are able to.