According to National Geographic, only 9% of plastics are recycled, leaving 91% of them unrecycled. The impact of disposal of single-use plastics has been an issue of concern, as these products take hundreds of years to decompose into dangerous residuals referred to as microplastics. With millions of single-use plastics being produced and thrown away daily, a report by the World Economic Forum highlighted that plastics will exceed the fish count in the oceans by 2050. As a result, governments in various jurisdictions have acted to ban single-use plastics.
With policies restricting single-use plastics in various countries, it’s time to switch to compostable bioproducts that are not only authorized but also eco-friendly. For every single-use plastic product, BioFlexx offers an alternative compostable bioproduct.
Here are a series of jurisdictions whose government policies against single-use plastics usage and why shifting to BioFlexx compostable bioproducts would be a great idea.
Canada Sets Timeline to Ban Specific Single-Use Plastics
Jean-Yves Duclos, the federal health minister of Canada, stated that about 43,000 tons of single-use plastics are thrown away annually, mostly in waterways. These disturbing statistics have pushed the Canadian government to ban companies from manufacturing or importing Styrofoam takeout containers and plastics.
Canada had previously planned to impose the ban in 2021. However, the scientific evaluation of plastics needed to actualize the ban was delayed due to the pandemic. While laying out the new final regulation on single-use plastic banning on June 20, 2022, Duclos stated the specific single-use products to be banned and the effective dates. The banned single-use plastic products are:
- Plastic bags
- Stir sticks
- Cutlery
- Takeout containers
- Carrier rings
- Straws
The government actions to ban importing and manufacturing of these six single-use plastic products will be effective from December 2022, followed by a full ban on sale in 2023. By the end of 2025, the country will ban the export of these plastic products, making it the first to achieve this milestone internationally.
At BioFlexx, we manufacture alternative BPI-certified, eco-friendly, and fully biodegradable bioproducts in bulk. Shop with us to avoid being affected by the ban.
The US Set to Ban Single-Use Plastics in Public Lands by 2032.
Phasing out single-use plastic products on the United States (US) public lands is one of the goals set by the Biden administration. This decision has resulted from the increasing attempts to reduce the high plastic pollution tide that extends to a global scope.
The US Department of Interior will partially stop the sale of single-use plastic products in wildlife refuges and national parks, among other public pieces of land, until 2032, with a current reduction plan in place. Previously, there was a ban on the sale of plastic water bottles in national parks, but it was lifted by the Trump administration.
The US government is looking for environmentally-friendly alternatives to packaging products and plastic bottles, like BioFlexx compostable bioproducts.
Europe Bans Single-Use Plastics
Single-use plastics like cups and straws are no longer accepted in 27 countries of the European Union (EU). This ban took effect on July 3, 2021. This directive came to effect as a fulfillment of the single-use plastics directive established in 2019. This policy restricted the sale of products made from specific components, like Styrofoam or expanded polystyrene.
This material was targeted because it quickly decomposes into small white plastic balls that are blown by the wind. Birds and fish mistake them for food. Therefore, they consume these decomposed single-use plastics, which harm their overall health. While these products were banned completely, others were labeled to educate the consumer about the correct disposal procedures and the effects of littering.
The list of banned single-use plastic products includes:
- Takeout containers
- Cups
- Sticks for balloons
- Stirrers
- Cutlery
- Straws
- Plates
- Cotton bud sticks
- Wet wipes
Why is the Ban on Single-Use Plastics Important?
Many single-use plastics are hard or economically infeasible to recycle. Besides, these non-biodegradables pollute the environment and harm human and wildlife health while attracting high clean-up costs. Therefore, banning single-use plastics reduces pollution while minimizing the demand for plastic manufacturing, contributing to climate change.
Large plastic manufacturing companies must innovate their designs and source sustainable materials. Luckily, companies like BioFlexx manufacture eco-friendly and certified compostable bioplastic bioproducts that decompose safely in less than 180 days. Therefore, large companies and distributors have a place to get these materials and eco-products.
Shop Eco-Friendly Single-Use Plastic Alternatives Wholesale at BioFlexx
The good news is that the imposed bans on single-use plastics are just a wake-up call to embrace more sustainable products. At BioFlexx, we offer customized, environmentally friendly, and 100% biodegradable bioplastics that decompose safely into productive organic matter that acts like fertilizer. Therefore, our bioproducts are part of the circular economy that reduces waste in our environment.
What’s more, our compostable products meet the North American ASTM D6400 standard requirements and are certified by the Biodegradable Product Institute (BPI), guaranteeing the safety of use. Do not let government bans on single-use plastics affect your business – BioFlexx has got you covered! Contact our team today for inquiries about BioFlexx compostable bioplastic products.