Canadian Government Defines Plastic as Toxic!

Canadian Government Defines Plastic as Toxic!

Plastic is Officially Toxic!

On May 12, 2021, the Canadian Government finally announced that plastic would be listed as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). This act provides the federal government with the potential to take further steps towards sustainability and tackling climate change. With plastic now considered a toxic material, it is easier to pass legislation to ban the use and distribution of plastic items like straws, six-pack rings, and cutlery. Within the CEPA, plastic is now listed as a Schedule I plastic, making it one of the highest risk materials, and of top priority to the government. Now, we all know that governments are known to promise a commitment to something, and then not follow through on that commitment as time passes. However, by defining plastic as a Schedule I toxic material under the CEPA, the Canadian government has a legal obligation to act on taking measures to reduce the spread and use of this material. While this certainly isn’t the solution to plastic change, it is a step in the right direction, and we at Life UNpacked are extremely excited to see big societal and political changes like these happen more often. 

turtle swimming in a sea of plastic

Now It's Your Turn!

We're super stoked to see the government making some changes... but as we all know it's not enough! Replacing harmful plastic products like plastic straws, plastic takeout containers and plastic cutlery is extremely important, but what about our bathroom products? There don't seem to be any environmental policy changes planned for the near future to ban extremely wasteful bathroom products like plastic toothbrushes, plastic floss, plastic toothpaste tubes. Unfortunately this short list doesn't even begin to cover all of the harmful products we use in our day to day bathroom routines. However, there is a better option! Using products like bamboo toothbrushes, bamboo charcoal floss, and tooth powder in a glass container are great sustainable replacements/alternatives for your traditional bathroom products. What are you waiting for? The time is NOW! Take your first step towards changing your daily habits and plastic consumption today!

 

Sources: 

https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2021/05/canada-declares-plastics-toxic-ban-restrictions/

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/05/13/news/canada-officially-tosses-plastic-toxic-bin

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