Minimum Recycled Content for Plastics
Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 156, Number 7: GOVERNMENT NOTICES
The Department of the Environment is seeking early feedback on proposed regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to require minimum recycled content in certain plastic manufactured items. This is a 30-day public consultation beginning on publication (2022-02-12) and will inform draft regulations the government aims to publish later in 2022.
- Published
- February 12, 2022
- Department
- Unavailable
- Section
- DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
- Comment deadline
- March 14, 2022
- Effective date
- Unavailable
- Publication part
- Part I
Summary
Summary#
The Department of the Environment posted a notice (Canada Gazette, Part I) asking for early feedback on proposed regulations that would require minimum recycled content in certain plastic manufactured items. This is a consultation, not a final rule, and comments must be sent within 30 days of publication (February 12, 2022).
What it does#
- Says the government intends to make regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to set minimum recycled-plastic content for some plastic products.
- Refers to a technical issues paper that explains details of the proposal and is available on the government website.
- Explains that “plastic manufactured items” were added to Schedule 1 of CEPA in May 2021, which allows the government to regulate plastics at stages like manufacture, use, disposal, and recovery.
- Announces planned stakeholder consultations (including virtual sessions) in early 2022 and says the government aims to publish proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, as early as the end of 2022.
- Notes that respondents can request confidential treatment of information under section 313 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
Who's affected#
- Manufacturers, importers and sellers of plastic products that could be covered by the proposed rules.
- Companies that supply recycled plastic or run recycling and recovery operations.
- Governments and organizations that set procurement rules, since minimum recycled content can affect purchasing choices.
- The notice is aimed at “interested parties”: anyone may comment. If it is unclear which specific product types will be regulated, the technical issues paper should provide more detail.
Why it matters#
- The rules are meant to increase demand for recycled plastic and to reduce plastic pollution by building a stronger market for recycled material.
- If adopted, the regulations could change how some plastic products are made and what materials manufacturers must use.
- Early feedback from industry, recyclers and consumers can influence the shape of the final rules before they are proposed.
Key topics
Source: Canada Gazette