Canada looking to eliminate single-use plastic food packaging

It’s not easy to make sure people have access to healthy food, especially because produce doesn’t last long.

But extending the shelf life brings its own challenges and, at the moment, single-use plastic packaging is often used. The Canadian government wants that to change.

The government is looking to develop a plan called the Pollution Prevention Planning Notice, or “P-2” notice for short, with the goal of further reducing single use plastic waste in the country.

Single-use plastic food packaging is the latest target on Canada’s list to move the country closer to its goal of zero plastic waste.

READ MORE: National ban on single-use plastic items takes effect

The government is looking to target plastic packaging that comes into direct contact with food by asking for input from grocery stores, stakeholders and Canadians.

This comes after the government banned other single use products like checkout bags, cutlery and straws.

The federal government says that plastic food packaging makes up about one third of all plastic packaging in the country. And this includes single-use plastics like meat trays and produce bags.

Canadian researcher and professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Sylvian Charlebois said the industry is addicted to plastics simply because it is the best, cheapest solution to keep food fresh and safe for as long as possible

He says that thinking about distribution of food is the next step.

“So, a couple of things that could be compromised along the way with P2 is one, food affordability, prices may go up. And two, convenience,” Charlebois said.

He added that alternative solutions to plastic could be costly and could add to the already heightened price of food.

READ MORE: Ontario company Friendlier helps phase out single-use plastics

Emily Robinson from the University of Guelph said that right now, plastic plays a role as a preservation method but thinks the government’s timeline will be a challenge.

“There needs to be more research on this trade off between harm of single-use plastics to the environment versus harm of food waste,” Robinson said.

“I think this goal of trying to eradicate a lot of single use plastics by 2030 is really ambitious and I think at the pace that the federal government is moving with this right now, it doesn’t seem super realistic in this timeline.”

The government’s goal is for 75 per cent of produce to be distributed and sold in bulk or in plastic-free packaging by 2026. And by 2028, 100 per cent of primary food plastic packaging will have to be reusable, recyclable or compostable.

READ MORE: LCBO to phase out paper bags, 15 years after trashing plastic