The Canadian Government has begun a consultation on a proposed regulation to establish a minimum recycled content requirement for certain plastic items.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault launched the consultation on 11 February.

If successfully implemented, the legislation would increase demand for recycled plastics and, in turn, prevent more plastic from entering landfill and the environment.

The initiative is also intended to improve recycling systems and product design while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

It is part of Canada’s commitment to increasing the amount of recycled content in certain plastic products and packaging produced in the country to at least 50% by 2030.

The consultation is open for all Canadians and stakeholders to comment on the proposed measures until 14 March. The regulation is due to be published by the end of this year.

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Guilbeault said: “The government is committed to achieving zero plastic waste by 2030.

“A key part of this plan is establishing recycled content standards, which will drive demand for recycled plastics and help facilitate the transition toward a circular plastics economy.

“Recycled content requirements would help to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and the environment, while also decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Together, we can achieve zero plastic waste and keep our communities clean.”

Canada aims to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030, with Canadian citizens currently discarding a total of around three million tonnes of plastic a year.

The country’s government is working with provinces and territories with the aim to make plastic producers responsible for their waste.

In December last year, it published draft regulations that would prohibit the use of some single-use plastics in the country, leaving them open to public comment.

The proposed regulations outline how Canada will ban the manufacture, sale and import of certain single-use plastic, including plastic cutlery, stir sticks, straws and six-pack rings.