Drowning in plastic: New report shows Canada contributes disproportionately to the global plastic disaster

BY TVISHA MISTRY

Plastic has been a leading cause in polluting waters, resulting in ocean degradation; endangering the various marine life that seeks shelter within them. A recent report produced by Oceana Canada discusses Canada’s immense contribution in generating plastic waste causing pollution within the oceans.

Each year, 70% of plastic produced (3.3 million tonnes) is thrown in the trash. Approximately half of the waste comes from single-use product packaging. If as a consumer, one purchases any product with plastic packaging, they are an accessory in the international crisis of global warming. Recycling is not a reliable option. Only 9% of the plastic thrown out gets recycled. 87% of waste plastic ends up in landfills and oceans. The rate at which humans are polluting the environment is higher than ever, and the effects of global warming are visible through rapid climate change.

Canada uses 4.6 million metric tonnes every year approximating to roughly 125 kilograms per person. The report uses these statistics to predict the growth of plastic pollution to more than six million metric tonnes by 2030. Global comparisons show that Canada produces nine times more plastic waste per person than India, and up to 3.6 times more than countries in Southeast Asia.

With the world’s longest coastline, touching three oceans, Canada as a nation has a global responsibility and opportunity to initiate plastic-free choices and lead the rest of the world towards an eco-friendly path.

The Oceana Canada report further outlines how the Canadian government can help delay and stagnate a global crisis at its rise, by highlighting steps to conserve the maritime environment. Foremost, the report urges the implementation of the Canadian governments previously promised ban on harmful single-use plastics, by 2021.
To terminate the plastic disaster crisis Oceana Canada petitions governments and businesses to:
● Refuse: Ban unnecessary single-use plastics in Canada by 2021.
● Reduce: Municipalities, universities, public institutions, and businesses should provide plastic-free options.
● Reuse: Support policies and infrastructures to reuse plastics, including refilling beverage containers.
● Rethink: Limit the export of plastic waste to developing countries and promote reduction-based solutions internationally.

“Canada needs to move away from our current wasteful system where plastic that is made to last forever is created, used once and then immediately disposed of. The current approach – low recycling rates, exporting plastic waste to other countries and shifting responsibility downstream to consumers – is expensive, irresponsible, and inefficient, and doesn’t even scratch the surface of solving this massive problem,” said Kim Elmslie, campaign director at Oceana Canada.

“The plastic disaster won’t end without government leadership. Oceana Canada is calling on Prime Minister Trudeau and Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson to create a strong and meaningful ban on single-use plastics by 2021. The Government of Canada has committed to protecting our oceans – taking serious and definitive action to end our country’s contribution to the plastic disaster is a vital part of that plan.”

About Oceana Canada
Oceana Canada is an established independent charity and advocacy group dedicated solely to promoting ocean conservation. Oceana Canada works with civil society, fishers, indigenous peoples, and the federal government to return Canada’s formerly vibrant oceans to health and abundance. The charity has campaigned for several causes, some of which include, ending the shark fin trade, improving fisheries management, and protecting marine habitats.