CANADIAN FEDERAL SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN – APPROVED TIMELINE
Final Regulations (06/20/2022)
On June 20th, the Federal Government delivered a commitment to ban harmful single-use plastics.*
DEFINITIONS OF BANNED PRODUCTS
What will be included in the ban?
The government has provided some updated definitions. This wording is directly from the government’s publication:
Checkout Bags
• Will break or tear if it is used to carry 10 kg over a distance of
53m 100 times or
• Will break or tear if it is washed in a washing machine in a wash cycle recommended by the manufacturer for washing cotton or linen
• They are typically (but not exclusively) made from high-or low density polyethylene film and may or may not have handles
Cutlery
• Means a plastic manufactured item that is formed in the shape of a fork, knife, spoon, spork, or chopstick and that, after being immersed in water maintained at a temperature between 82°C and 86°C for 15 minutes, changes its shape
• They are typically (but not exclusively) made from polypropylene or polystyrene
Foodservice Ware
Is formed in the shape of a clamshell container, lidded container, box, cup, plate, or bowl
• Is designed for serving or transporting food or beverage that is ready to be consumed without any further preparation
• Is made from expanded polystyrene (foam), extruded polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, aplastic that contains a black pigment produced through the partial or incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons or a plastic that contains any additive that, through oxidation, leads to decomposition or to the fragmentation of the plastic material into micro-chemical fragments (“oxo-biodegradable”)
Straws (with certain exceptions)
• Means a plastic manufactured item that is formed in the shape of a drinking straw and that, after being immersed in water maintained at a temperature between 82°C and 86°C for 15 minutes, changes its shape
• They are typically (but not exclusively) made from polypropylene and have varying physical dimensions.
Stir Sticks
• Means a plastic manufactured item that is designed to stir or mix beverages or to prevent a beverage from spilling from the lid of its container
• Typically made from polypropylene or polystyrene
DECEMBER 20, 2022
Prohibition to import and manufacture for sale in Canada : checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks, straws (flexible straws used for patient recovery excepted).
DECEMBER 20, 2023
Prohibition to sell items in Canada:
checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks, straws.
JUNE 20, 2024
Prohibition to sell items in Canada:
flexible straws packaged with beverage containers, ring carriers.
DECEMBER 20, 2025
Prohibition to manufacture, import, and export sales:
flexible straws packaged with beverage containers, ring carriers, checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks, straws.
* Note this information is subject to change as more information is published by the federal government
FAQ
Points about our products
Does our cutlery contain any of these banned plastics?
Our CPLA and plant-based cutlery do NOT contain polystyrene or polyethylene, so they are also exempt from the prohibition.
Why are cup and container lids not included in this ban?
Currently, the lids on cups and food containers are not in the
scope of the prohibition (they are not in the form or shape of
articles listed in the ban). All cup and container lids are made of
recyclable plastics, not made of polystyrene foam, or other
banned plastics.