August 2022 - Single Use Plastic Ban Update

It is estimated that almost 10,000 tonnes of plastic debris enter the Great Lakes every year, harming our animal and plant life. Ontario's Blue Box Recycling Program recovers only 28% of all plastic packaging in our province. Canada-wide 3 million tonnes of plastic waste are thrown away and only 9% recycled.

Ottawa has moved to ban many single use plastics by the end of 2023.

The 6 single use items are:

        *checkout bags

        *cutlery

        *food service ware

        *ring carriers

        *stir sticks

        *straws  (exemption for flexible straws in heathcare settings)

The single use plastic ban in Ontario came into effect on January 1, 2022 -  a slow process with lots of work yet to be done.

REMEMBER .. bring your own reusable cloth produce bags when shopping, including grocery and ALL retail stores.

Try to REDUCE the amount of plastic purchased. RETURN all plastic bags to Metro bins or simply bring to Church.

Try taking another 7 Day PLASTIC Free Challenge. Are our shopping habits improving???