Should Canada Allow Exports of Banned Single-Use Plastics?
Official title: Proposed Regulations Amending the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations
Canada banned six types of single-use plastics in 2022—straws, bags, cutlery, and more. Now the government wants to let Canadian companies export these same products to other countries. Why? To save manufacturing jobs and factory investments. The ban on making these items for export just kicked in December 20, 2025.
Why This Matters
Work at a plastics factory? This could save your job. Care about ocean pollution? You might wonder why we're exporting what we've banned at home. Either way, this decision shapes whether Canada's plastic ban is about real environmental action or just moving the problem elsewhere.
What Could Change
If approved, Canadian factories could resume making plastic straws, bags, cutlery, stir sticks, six-pack rings, and food containers—but only for export. The domestic ban stays in place. This aligns Canada with the EU approach, which also allows exports of banned plastics.
Key Issues
- Should Canadian companies be allowed to manufacture and export single-use plastics that are banned domestically?
- How do we balance protecting Canadian manufacturing jobs with environmental goals?
- Should Canada's approach align with the European Union's export exemption?
How to Participate
- Read the proposed amendments in the Canada Gazette to understand the specific regulatory changes.
- Submit comments online using the commenting feature directly in the Canada Gazette publication, or email plastiquesuu-suplastics@ec.gc.ca by the deadline.
- Or mail your comments to: Plastics Regulatory Affairs Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard, 9th floor, Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3.