Trudeau Joins Europe, California in Banning Single-Use Plastics

[left-of-center2012]

Justin Trudeau’s government announced plans Monday to ban single-use plastics such as straws and plates in Canada.

The ban would go into effect as early as 2021, the prime minister said at a press conference near Montreal. The government also plans new measures that would shift responsibility of recycling to companies that manufacture or sell plastic products.

The crackdown on plastics is part of a growing worldwide effort by governments in the European Union, India and California, driven by images of garbage-strewn oceans and dead sea animals with plastic bags in their digestive tracks. The EU voted in March to outlaw some products that fragment into small pieces and remain in the environment such as plastic bags.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-09/canada-is-set-to-announce-single-use-plastic-ban-monday-cbc?srnd=politics-vp

[customerserviceguy]

1. Anybody else remember

buying a "Dixie Cup" of ice cream or sherbet back in the 1960's, and getting a little flat wooden spoon wrapped in paper, not plastic, with it? Why did those go away, and can they be brought back?

[left-of-center2012]

2. "wooden spoon wrapped in paper"

Maybe to save trees?

[customerserviceguy]

3. At least the spoon

was biodegradable. My guess is that cheap plastics simply overran the single-use wooden utensil industry. Now, I haven't had a popsicle in decades, do they still have wooden sticks?

[left-of-center2012]

4. popsicle

The ones I buy at Kroger do.

[customerserviceguy]

5. Good to know!

These days, I suspect that the so-called "ice pop" sells more units than popsicles. A plastic, single-use tube of sugar water that can be transported in an unfrozen state, then turned inth the equivalent of a popsicle in a matter of hours probably is what can be found in most people's freezers.

Look at all of the condiments in plastic bottles that used to be exclusively in glass ones. Now, I like being able to squeeze a ketchup bottle, but I refill mine from larger bottles that I can still find. And, unlike mayonnaise, opened ketchup does NOT need to be refrigerated.

[defacto7]

6. Oh I remember.

About a year ago I started carrying a stainless steel spork on my keychain. I fugure the tiny hassle is worth it reducing a little waist. It's also a responsibility reminder. I'm really happy to hear about people voting with their consumer choices.