Federal plastics ban creates 'unintended consequences' for compostable alternatives

Sylvia Johnson thought she had her bases covered.

Johnson, who owns Cornerstone Music Cafe in Calgary, had been phasing out single-use plastics, such as cutlery, takeout containers and straws, for the past six years. So when the federal government introduced a ban on single-use plastics, she thought she was in the clear.

But that wasn't the case.

"I am shocked. It's very surprising. I don't think [the] compostable products that I use should be under that ban," Johnson said.

The federal ban prohibits six categories of plastics from being manufactured or imported for sale in Canada. Stir sticks, cutlery, takeout containers, plastic grocery bags and straws all fall under the new rule, which took effect in December. Such products will still be able to be sold in Canada for the next year.

A ban on plastic ring carriers will begin in June.

But not all of Johnson's alternatives are allowed, because they are considered non-conventional plastic, such as her compostable cutlery and black plastic takeout containers.

According to an emailed statement from Environment and Climate Change Canada, the prohibition applies equally to conventional and non-conventional plastics. 

Johnson isn't the only one who's been caught off guard. Rick Babington is the president of Wentworth Technologies in Brantford, Ont., which owns the manufacturing company Stone Straw.

His southwestern Ontario company — which makes paper and conventional plastic straws — developed what he calls the Back to Earth straw.

"We went to work to develop the most innovative straw that I think is out there, one that checks all the boxes in terms of being industrial and home compostable," Babington said, adding his straw feels just like a traditional one.

"Also the material is made out of a cellulose acetate that is certified as marine and freshwater biodegradable."

But it's still prohibited under the government's new rules. For Babington's straws to be OK, they would need to be reusable.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, plastic cutlery is considered reusable if it does not break down after being washed in a dishwasher 100 times.