Metallurgy / Chemicals / Rubber & Plastics

The Canadian government is considering banning the use of the "chasing arrow" logo on all plastics unless they are accepted by at least 80 per cent of Canada's recycling facilities, the latest sign of the government's increased focus on recyclable marketing.

On June 20, Environment Canada disclosed the labelling plan when it announced that it would implement its long-discussed nationwide ban on six single-use plastics, including cash register bags and cutlery, starting in December.

Government officials including Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault held a series of media and public events across the country to initiate the ban. The ban, first proposed by Canada several years ago, covers the manufacture, import and eventual export of plastic bags, cutlery and food service items that have "problems" with recycling.

"By the end of the year, you won't be able to produce or import these hazardous plastics," Guilbeault said. "After that, companies will start to provide sustainable solutions that Canadians want." Draft regulations were presented in December, but the European Commission's press release also includes new details on next steps such as labelling rules. The agency said it hopes to crack down on the use of the chasing arrow sign on plastics if there is no strong end market for the recycled material.

Environment Canada said: "In early summer, the government will begin consulting on the approach to the federal public plastic registry and develop labelling rules to prevent the use of chasing arrow signs on plastic products unless they are accepted by at least 80 per cent of recycling facilities in Canada and they have a proven track record. end markets.” The agency said the consultation would also include labelling rules for composting plastic products.

While the details are unclear, the 80 percent threshold for using chase arrows appears to be outside U.S. regulations like the Federal Trade Commission's Green Guidelines, which generally require products to be recyclable for at least 60 percent of consumers to Make marketing claims.

The plan, which calls for the establishment of a "federal public plastics registry," appears to support producer responsibility programs.

The Liberal government of Canada has published on its website its strategy to achieve zero plastic waste emissions by 2030, which mentions a registration system and discusses requiring "producers to report annually on the quantity, type and end-of-life management of plastics in the Canadian economy" as producers part of the responsibility plan. The Canadian Chemical Industry Association declined to comment on the content of the label in the government announcement because it will be conducted through a public consultation.

Government officials in some U.S. states are also stepping up their labeling efforts.