Plastic waste and pollution reduction

Canadians throw away nearly 5 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. Plastic waste and marine litter burdens our economy and threatens the health of the environment including wildlife, rivers, lakes and oceans.

With the longest coastline in the world and one-quarter of the world’s freshwater, there is a unique opportunity for Canada to tackle this challenge. We are taking targeted actions to reduce plastic waste and pollution, make our economy stronger and protect wildlife and the places we love.

We need to change the way we design, produce, use and dispose of plastics. By working with all levels of government, industry and all Canadians, we can build a strong, resilient and circular economy. Together, we can keep plastics in the economy and out of the environment.