In our February 20, 2024, blog, we provided details on the proposed plastics registry. On April 19, 2024, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a notice that “The Government of Canada is implementing a comprehensive plan to reduce plastic pollution, improve how plastic is made, used, and managed across its life cycle, and move toward a circular economy.”
Companies affected by the new mandate will need to begin to gather data. As stated by ECCC, “…reporting to the Federal Plastics Registry will start in September 2025, requiring reporting on plastic placed on the market in three categories for the 2024 calendar year.”
Required Information
The information that will be required includes the quantity and types of plastic manufactured, imported, placed on the market, quantity of plastic collected and diverted, reused, repaired, remanufactured, refurbished, recycled, processed into chemicals, composted, incinerated and landfilled, and more.
Small producers that place less than one tonne of plastic on the market are exempt from making annual reports.
NOTE: See table on Environment and Climate Change Canada site.
Minister Guilbeault
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change said, “The Federal Plastics Registry is a practical tool that will help track plastics across the economy, inform future actions, and measure progress to reduce plastic waste and pollution.”
In a CBC report, Minister Guibeault said, “Every year from now on, they (plastic producers) must declare the quantity and types of plastic they supply, how these plastics move through the economy, and how they are managed at the end of their life.”
The Effect on Food Packaging
The regulated industry continues to express concern over the plan to track plastics. In December 2023, when ECCC issued the intent to track and report on plastics in the economy, Ron Lemaire president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association and Dave Puglia president and CEO of Western Growers offered an industry perspective on the legislation.
How will the new plastics registry impact food packaging (Photo by Elena Rabkina on Unsplash)?
“Canadian consumers are already besieged by high food prices. Now the government is pushing to implement a plastics ban without considering the consequences, including increased prices and reduced access to affordable, healthy food.”
“Fresh fruits and vegetables represent only 2.9% of all plastic packaging in Canada, yet the near-total elimination of these essential packaging tools could cause dramatic food security and food affordability issues for Canadians.”
Fruits and Vegetables
“Canadians benefit from a year-round supply of fresh fruit and vegetables despite a short domestic growing season. Imports represent the vast majority of produce sold to meet Canadian consumer demand, and the majority of the products come from the U.S. Western Growers’ farmers provide two-thirds of U.S. fruits and vegetables available year-round to Canadians, and they know firsthand how difficult it is to get fresh, nutritious foods from the fields of California to the dinner plates of urban and rural Canadians safely and in good condition. At this time, without plastics, it would be impossible.”
Cost of the Ban
More recently (March 7, 2024), Ron Lemair expressed additional concern.
“Grocers have estimated the elimination of plastics will cost them about $6 billion. Lemaire said that is a conservative estimate based on a 2023 Deloitte Canada report helping the industry understand the impacts of the ban.”
Then on April 23, 2024, the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) issued a notice to their members stating, “Environment and Climate Change Canada on Friday, April 19, 2024, unveiled a critical notice in the Canada Gazette, Part 1, impacting plastic reporting requirements for 2024-2026. This mandate will reshape how plastics are managed, directly affecting your operations. RCC is diving deep into the details, will be engaging with ECCC, and will present the final notice to members for any questions.”
According to the ECCC notice, a guidance document is being drafted to assist companies that are required to report. Users will have access to the Federal Plastics Registry system in the second half of 2024.
Also see the blog by the law firm McMillan, “Plan for the Ban: Canada’s Federal Plastics Registry – Let’s Talk Reporting Obligations.”
If you need assistance with this or any other environmental issue, contact Christopher Pare’, P.Geo. Q.P. at 519-948-7300, Ext. 114.
Dragun Corporation does not use artificial intelligence in drafting our blogs or any other material.
Alan Hahn drafted this blog. Alan has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and completed a graduate program in Environmental Management. He has worked in environmental management for more than 45 years. He has written hundreds of blogs and articles. His published work includes HazMat Magazine, BizX Magazine, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, GreenStone Partners, Manure Manager Magazine, and Progressive Dairy.
Christopher Paré, P.Geo, reviewed this blog. Chris is a senior geoscientist and manager of Dragun’s Windsor, Ontario, office. Chris has more than 30 years of experience on projects ranging from environmental site assessments (Phase One/Two ESA), excess soils, remedial investigations, soil and groundwater remediation, Permits to Take Water, Records of Site Conditions, vapour intrusion, and site decommissioning. Chris is a frequent speaker, author, and expert witness. See Chris’ bio.
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