Page 43 - Plastics News March 2019

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Ontario considers Single-use Plastics Ban, Bottle Bill

n an effort to ramp up its waste diversion and recycling return system could help the province improve its diversion
Iefforts, Ontario, Canada, is considering a ban on single- rate, according to a discussion paper recently released by
use plastics and a bottle bill. The idea was put forth in the government. Ontario is weighing a ban on single-use
a discussion paper from the Ministry of Environment, plastics as part of a broader strategy to send less waste
Conservation and Parks about diverting more waste from to landfills. Nearly a tonne of waste per person in Ontario
is generated each year, and the rate at which that waste
is diverted away from landfills — through recycling and
composting, for example — has stalled around 30 per cent
for the past 15 years. The government recently released
a discussion paper on reducing litter and waste, and is
asking the public and stakeholders for input on how to
best address the problem. One question it asks is if a
ban on single-use plastics would be effective in reducing
plastic waste. The paper also lists many potential ideas
to reduce disposal, including a ban on food waste in
landfill and reducing litter. The diversion rate of the landfills, providing "clear rules" on compostable items,
province has stalled at about 30 percent for the past 15 focusing on consistency in municipal recycling programs
years, and its Blue Box recycling program recovers only across the province and expanding recycling programs to
about 28 percent of all plastic packaging in the province. include items such as fluorescent light bulbs, power tools,
Banning single-use plastics and launching a bottle deposit rechargeable batteries, clothing and appliances.

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