Recently, more than 20 plastic product manufacturers jointly filed a lawsuit to request the federal court of Canada to stop the Canadian government’s ban on disposable plastic appliances. These manufacturers formed the “responsible plastic use coalition” (rpuc). This is the second time that the alliance has challenged the government’s plan to ban disposable plastic appliances.

The lawsuits filed by these plastic product manufacturers in 2021 are aimed at the definition of whether plastic products are toxic. The Canadian government has listed some plastic products in the list of hazardous substances according to the environmental protection act. The plaintiff requested the court to annul the law.

The federal government of the Liberal Party of Canada plans to prohibit the import and production of plastic bags, foamed plastic takeout boxes, disposable plastic tableware, straws, mixing rods and six lifting rings by the end of this year, prohibit the sales by the end of next year, and prohibit the export by the end of 2025. The request made by the Alliance for rational use of plastics in the complaint is to cancel the plan, prohibit the government from regulating the production and use of disposable plastic appliances with the provisions of the environmental protection law, and temporarily freeze the ban before the final judgment is issued.

Steven guilbeiault, Canada’s environment minister, is optimistic that the court’s decision will support the ban on disposable plastic appliances. He also said that he would like to cooperate with manufacturers to improve plastic recycling when meeting with the court.