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The public appears ready for a Canada-wide plastics ban. At least the ones we spoke to are. The federal government is proposing a ban on single-use plastics including straws, cutlery and bags. We asked shoppers at Kelowna's Mission Park about the idea and didn't find a single voice of dissent on the proposal.
The ban could be in place as early as 2021. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the plan at a nature preserve in Quebec saying the problem of plastics in the environment has reached a "breaking point". Officials are working out the details on exactly which kinds of plastics will be targeted by the legislation.
Watch live: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces Canada is taking additional steps to reduce Canada’s plastic waste, support innovation, and promote the use of affordable and safe alternatives. https://t.co/2lwqsDSrca pic.twitter.com/rn0KuPP6ZD
— CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) June 10, 2019
Currently less than 10% of plastics used in Canada are recycled. The federal government plans to work with provinces, territories and municipalities to set standards for companies that currently sell these kinds of products.
Locally, elected officials have not approached the issue with the kind of urgency that Trudeau is. Waste management is a regional service in the Central Okanagan. The regional district earlier this year had the question of a ban on plastic bags listed as a 'medium priority' issue.
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