The Retail Council of Canada is on board with a plan for a federal ban on single use plastics in Canada by 2021, but it wants more details, and a consistent strategy across the country.

Philippe Cantin, the Senior Director of Sustainability Innovation and Circular Economy, says that consistent approach will make things easier for businesses.

He points out in BC alone there are 30 municipalities that have or will soon vote to ban plastics.

“Different types of bylaws makes it extremely challenging for businesses to understand and not be confused about what’s needed to comply with each bylaw,” he said. “So you might be looking at having multiple types of items that are needed to comply with the municipal bylaws we have just in British Columbia.”

Cantin says the food services sector will be the most impacted, and notes the RCC hopes to work with the Feds on the next steps of the initiative.

“Our biggest focus is to make sure that if we are going to go with alternative materials, then we are sure that those will yield positive impacts on the environment,” Cantin said. “We’re not going to be looking at unintended consequences. So it’s important to look at informed substitutions to avoid unnecessary costs that might yield negative impacts at the end.”

He pointed out that if the Feds don’t act, then things could become complicated if more and more municipalities implement their own bans.