Canada is banning plastic straws and other single-use items by the end of 2021. Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced the federal government’s next steps towards its plan to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030.
“When a ban comes into effect, local stores will be providing alternatives to these plastic products,” Wilkinson said, adding that he knows it’s hard to come back from a trip to the grocery store without single-use plastic products, especially food packaging, but that “has to change.”
As first pledged last year, and re-committed in the Liberal’s September throne speech, the government is moving ahead with banning certain “harmful” single-use plastics that are consistently found in the environment and for which there are readily available alternatives, while finding ways to make sure more plastic is recycled.
Citing the need to consult, the government will be soliciting feedback on a “discussion paper” until Dec. 9. The finalized new regulations wouldn’t come into effect until the end of 2021.
McDonald's Canada will introduce paper straws at more than 1,400 restaurants
Following the news on upcoming legislation, McDonald's Canada announced that it will introduce wooden cutlery, wooden stir sticks, and paper straws at more than 1,400 of its restaurants across the country. According to this fast-food giant, this will result in a reduction of 840 tons of plastics from being used. The removal of these single-use plastics in its restaurants supports McDonald’s global commitment to source 100% of McDonald’s primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled or certified sources.
“By being part of the Canadian fabric and serving close to three million guests every day across more than 1,400 restaurants, McDonald’s Canada is playing an important role in the ongoing reduction of single-use plastics in the country”, says Rob Dick, Supply Chain Officer, McDonald’s Canada, in a company news press release. “By removing these single-use plastics in our restaurants, we show our ongoing commitment to minimize our environmental footprint and to help protect the planet for future generations.”
High-quality alternatives to plastic straws
To help companies in their transition towards sustainable alternatives, Tembo Paper - part of the global Tembo Group - developed advanced paper straw machine technology and a wide range of high-quality paper straws. Within two years, the Dutch-based company has become the #1 supplier in the industrial paper straw segment, working closely with partners across the globe.
Photo by Praveen Kumar Nandagiri on Unsplash