Developing labelling rules for plastic packaging and single-use plastics

Overview

As part of Canada’s plan to move toward the goal of zero plastic waste by 2030, we will introduce labelling rules for plastic packaging and single-use plastics. The labelling rules would prohibit the use of the chasing-arrows symbol and other recyclability claims on consumer packaging and single-use plastics unless producers have assessed these products for recyclability. Currently, plastic packaging makes up approximately half of all plastic waste, but less than 15% of plastic packaging is recycled. These rules would seek to:

• improve plastic packaging design
• improve public participation in recycling systems
• reinforce public trust in recycling and
• improve the performance of recycling systems to generate more and higher-quality post-consumer recycled plastics

Compostable, biodegradable and biobased plastics may offer upstream environmental benefits such as carbon savings over fossil-based plastics and the potential to contribute to Canada’s bioeconomy. However, these plastics are currently problematic to manage at their end of life.

Labelling rules would also:

• regulate the use of terms such as “compostable”, “degradable” and “biodegradable” to help improve how compostable plastics are sorted for disposal
• support their diversion from landfills to organic waste management systems, and
• prevent the contamination of conventional plastic recycling streams

The recyclability and compostability labelling rules will be part of a broader regulatory proposal aimed at improving plastics recycling through better product design. The regulations would also include rules requiring minimum levels of recycled plastic in certain products.

The proposed measures would:

• strengthen recycling by addressing the supply of plastics introduced into recycling systems
• strengthen the demand for recycled plastics produced by those systems
• help recover the value of plastics by strengthening recycling in Canada and contributing to a strong secondary market.

Consulting on the development of labelling rules for plastics

On July 25, 2022, we published the Consultation paper: towards Canada-wide rules to strengthen recycling and composting of plastics through accurate labelling on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA) registry. The publication informed, and sought early feedback from, interested parties on the development of a regulation under CEPA that would outline rules for recyclability and compostability labelling of plastic packaging and single-use plastics.

The paper proposed that the use of the chasing-arrows symbol would be prohibited unless 80% percent of Canadians have access to recycling systems that accept and have reliable end markets for these products.

With respect to compostability labelling, a producer would be required to obtain third party certification of the plastic packaging or single-use item to a specified standard, or standards, for compostability. Outside of this exception, the labelling of applicable plastic products as degradable, biodegradable or compostable, would be prohibited.

The labelling rules would apply to consumer-facing:

• Primary packaging
• Secondary packaging and
• Single-use plastics

It was proposed that producers would be required to keep records describing how they assessed their product for recyclability. In the case of compostability labelling, producers would be required to keep a copy of the third party certification. Producers would be required to provide this information to the Government upon request.

A 70-day public comment period followed the publication of the consultation document. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) also hosted 2 overview webinars and 3 technical sessions focused on recycling systems and end markets, plastic packaging and compostability labelling.

The public comment period closed on October 7, 2022. In February 2023, we published a What we heard  report which summarized the feedback received on the discussion paper from written comments, stakeholder discussion sessions and webinars. We are taking the feedback received during the public comment period into account as the proposed regulations are developed.

Background

In October 2020, ECCC published the discussion paper A proposed integrated management approach to plastic products to prevent waste and pollution. The discussion paper outlined the steps the Government of Canada is taking toward eliminating plastic pollution in Canada. This includes ensuring end-of-life responsibility to extend the life and improve the value recovery of plastics by, for example, raising collection, repair and recycling rates, and minimizing the amount of plastic sent to landfill. The steps also include proposing regulations to require recycled content in plastic products and packaging.

A 60-day public comment period and a series of webinars followed the publication of the discussion paper.

In August 2021, we published a What we heard report which summarized the feedback received on the discussion paper from written comments, stakeholder discussion sessions and webinars.

Next steps

The Government intends to publish the proposed regulatory framework for labelling rules and recycled content requirements for plastic items for public comment in spring 2023.

The proposed regulations are targeted for publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, before the end of 2023, followed by a public comment period.

Related links

• Consultation paper: Towards Canada-wide rules to strengthen recycling and composting of plastics through accurate labelling
• Developing rules for recyclability and compostability labelling and a federal plastics registry – What we heard report

Contact us

Environment and Climate Change Canada
Plastics Regulatory Affairs Division
351 St. Joseph Blvd., Place Vincent Massey
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3
Email: plastiques-plastics@ec.gc.ca