Canada will ban single-use plastics as early as 2021, Justin Trudeau says

Plastic straws.
(Image credit: iStock/fullempty)

Canada is looking to follow the European Union's lead by banning single-use plastics as soon as 2021.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made this announcement on Monday, saying the government will conduct a scientific analysis to determine what "harmful" plastic products the ban should apply to, The New York Times reports.

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Trudeau in his announcement said this move will both be good for the planet and also "result in huge economic gains," noting Canadians throw away $8 billion worth of plastic material each year.

BBC notes that some parts of Canada have already pursued plastic bans, but Trudeau on Monday argued that a "a real solution needs to be nation-wide."

“People have had enough of seeing their parks and beaches covered with plastic,” Trudeau also said. “As parents we're at a point when we take our kids to the beach and we have to search out a patch of sand that isn't littered with straws, Styrofoam or bottles. That's a problem, one that we have to do something about."

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.