Banning Toxic Plastics
With Canada saying that plastic is a toxic substance, will more follow suit, opting for environmentally friendly replacements?
According to Promo Marketing Magazine, Canada’s federal government plans on designating plastics as toxins under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Under the CEPA, toxic substances are those that cause or that can cause harm to the environment, to biological diversity or to human health (immediately or long-term).
The article goes on to explain how the U.K. saw positive changes in its ecosystem after experimenting with single-use plastic bans. Even Austin got in on this, with the Single-Use Bag Ordinance in 2013, and while this is no longer enforced, the city still has a Zero Waste goal. For instance, it can be hard to find a plastic straw in ATX!
Whether Canada’s plan of saying that plastic is a toxic substance catches on and spreads or not, this is an issue that is real and that affects us all. The head of Greenpeace Canada’s plastics campaign, Sarah King, said it best: “We’re in a climate crisis. We’re in a plastic pollution crisis. We’re in an ocean crisis. We’re in a biodiversity crisis.”
Therefore, individuals, organizations and companies can turn to alternative products, in order to cut down on the use of plastics.
Wheat Fiber: Natural wheat fiber and straw is biodegradable, safe & clean to use and sturdy, making it a great choice for items like straws, pens and sunglasses.
Bamboo: Bamboo is a natural fiber, and when it is utilized to construct things like journals or desk accessories, it has shade variations and grain patterns. This means that this is an eco-friendly alternative that is also very beautiful!
Bamboo Fiber: Similarly, there are bamboo fibers. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that thrives without fertilizer or pesticides, making it the perfect resource to harvest again and again.
Cotton: Of course, cotton is something else to consider, and this popular material is commonly seen in/on clothing items and accessories like bags, shirts and bandannas.
Cork: Cork is sustainable and trendy. It looks cool as trim on a backpack. It resists heat when applied to the bottom of a mug. And it can be featured on thoughtful and useful gifts, such as jars that keep work spaces organized.
RPET: RPET, or recycled polyethylene terephthalate, is a strong material used to create things like bottles.
