The Government of Canada announced that it has launched a consultation on the establishment of a new registry requiring plastic producers to report on the quantity and type of plastic they place on the Canadian market, and tracking plastic across its lifecycle in the economy, from production through end of life.

According to the government’s statement announcing the new consultation, the new Federal Plastics Registry will form part of Canada’s initiative to reduce plastic pollution and waste, with Canadians currently throwing away 4.4 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with only 9% recycled. The registry is aimed at informing actions to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, providing harmonized plastics data across the country, and making information accessible to consumers and businesses.

Under the new proposed registry, producers will be required to report annually on the amount and type of plastic they place on the market, how the plastic moves through the economy, and how it is managed at end of life. Categories of plastic targeted by the proposed registry cover most of that placed on the Canadian market, ranging from packaging, single-use and disposable products and home appliances to electronics, construction, tires and textiles.

The consultation will seek input on aspects of the registry including its objectives, product categories covered, stakeholders required to report, reporting requirements and timelines, among other issues. The launch follows an initial consultation on the development of the registry completed in 2022. In April 2023, the government published a technical paper on the approach and details of the registry, as part of a series of measures to reduce plastic pollution, which also included consultations into proposed new labelling rules for products, and requirements for recycled content in plastic packaging.

Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, said:

“Canadians are demanding action to tackle the plastic waste and pollution crisis, and the federal government will continue to act. The Federal Plastics Registry is an important tool that will help track and manage plastics across the economy. It will support provinces and territories in making producers responsible for their plastic waste at end of life and help move Canada toward a circular economy for plastics.”

The consultation will run until February, 13, 2024.