Restaurants and cafes in Canada to stop using plastic

In a significant shift in Canadian dining establishments, restaurants and cafes across the country ceased the use of plastic straws, bags, and cutlery. This move aligns with a comprehensive ban on the import, manufacture, and sale of plastic materials that was initiated last year, reflecting Ottawa's commitment to achieving zero plastic waste by 2030.

However, this progress faced a setback in November when a Canadian court invalidated a law categorizing certain plastic products as toxic, following a legal challenge from the country's plastic producers. In response, the government has lodged an appeal, recognizing the potential repercussions for the ban on single-use plastics. Consequently, the law has been reinstated.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Canadian Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeau emphasized in November that "the scientific data is clear: plastic pollution is widespread, causing harm to wildlife and the environment."

Authorities in Ottawa reveal that Canadians dispose of approximately three million tons of plastic waste annually. Shockingly, only 9 percent of this waste undergoes recycling, leaving the majority to be deposited in landfills and contributing to the pollution of natural environments with around 29 thousand tons of plastic materials.