Canada is taking steps to reduce plastic packaging in the food industry.
Ottawa has initiated a month-long consultation with stakeholders to develop a “pollution prevention” plan for primary food plastic packaging. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of these packaging materials.
In April, the Canadian government introduced proposals for labelling consumer-facing plastics to indicate their recyclability and compostability. It also outlined minimum requirements for recycled plastic in various categories of packaging. However, these proposals did not cover plastic packaging in direct contact with food due to safety regulations.
As an alternative, Ottawa has proposed a pollution prevention (P2) notice to address the environmental impact of primary food plastic packaging, including items such as clamshells, produce wraps, condiment bottles, and pet food bags.
The P2 notice will require Canada’s largest grocery retailers to work towards zero plastic waste from primary food plastic packaging. It aims to meet government targets for recycled content, reduction, reuse, and redesign of packaging. Additionally, it will set targets for increasing the use of reuse-refill systems, concentrated products, and plastic-free packaging.
The targets include ensuring all primary food plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2028. Canada also aims for fresh fruits and vegetables to be distributed and sold in bulk or plastic-free packaging by the same year. Furthermore, by 2035, the government targets that non-reusable plastic food packaging contains an average of 30% post-consumer recycled content annually.
Kristina Farrell, CEO of industry trade body Food and Beverage Canada, stated that members are reviewing the plan and actively working towards reducing single-use plastic products. Farrell emphasized the need for collaboration to reduce plastic pollution.
NGO Mind Your Plastic’s executive director, Natasha Tucker, expressed support for the waste hierarchy and the reduction targets for primary packaging. However, she raised concerns about the use of compostables, as many marketed alternatives are not compostable in Canadian municipal facilities. Tucker stressed the need for more comprehensive efforts from the food industry to tackle plastic pollution.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia expects the Canadian food industry to welcome efforts towards a level playing field on plastic packaging. However, he acknowledges potential resistance due to concerns about costs, production processes, and competitiveness. Charlebois suggests that negotiation and economic incentives may be necessary to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices.
The consultation period will run until August 30.
