Ottawa moving forward in fight against plastics

The Trudeau government is pushing forward in its fight against plastics with a list of banned single-use plastic items.

The move could further put pressure on Alberta’s economy, already struggling under the weight of the energy market.

The Globe and Mail reports Ottawa will release its preliminary list of banned single-use plastic items and designate plastic a toxic substance.

The move is interesting in timing, considering the use of plastics during the pandemic instead of re-usable items.

No word yet on when the list will be released, but the move could also further dent Alberta’s economy with the petro-chemical sector’s goal of focusing more on plastics recycling, raising more risk of western alienation from Ottawa and a pushback from Alberta’s government.

The province is currently running a $24-billion deficit with the collapse in energy prices, and Calgary’s office tower vacancy rate now at 30 per cent.

The plastics industry is also worried that the designation will send mixed messages with plastic-based personal protective equipment usage skyrocketing this year.

The federal government’s crack down is expected to focus on microplastics, and other items that wind up in waterways, such as straws, grocery bags, and cutlery.

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