Halifax — Single-use plastics—or SUPs—are a very hot topic for Canadians. SUPs are used only once, then discarded or recycled. They include most food and product packaging, plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, and beverage bottles. Reduction of SUPs has emerged as a key environmental concern in Canada and around the world.
The Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University has released the results of a study of societal attitudes in Canada toward SUPs: “The single-use plastics dilemma: Perceptions and possible solutions.”
The majority of Canadians surveyed—93.7 per cent—said they are personally motivated to reduce single-use plastic food packaging because of its environmental impacts. While 89.8 per cent believe that regulations to reduce the use of SUP packaging for food should be strengthened.
The study recommends incentivizing compostable packaging (plant-based polymers); encouraging the use of recyclable materials like cardboard, paper and foil wrapping; a voluntary phase-out of plastic bags; and enhanced support for research and commercialization of compostable packaging.
Other findings:
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