For What's It's Earth: Issue 37 - November 29, 2023

Legislation

The Federal Court of Canada recently ruled that the designation of "plastic manufactured items" as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act was both "unreasonable and unconstitutional." The decision recognizes that single use plastics do not meet the standards to be considered "toxic." This is an important step in ensuring that the term be applied to substances that are in fact toxic to avoid unanticipated spillover effects. In addition, the decision will help ensure that any Canadian regulation of single use or other plastics is based upon an accurate assessment of the properties of those materials.

Standards

The third negotiating session on the global plastics treaty concluded on November 19 in Nairobi, Kenya. This was the first round of talks on the so-called Zero Draft, which includes options for bans of chemicals and polymers of concern in plastic. More progress was reportedly made than in previous rounds, although