Annotated Summary_ Zero Plastic Waste

Walker, T. R, & Xanthos, D. (2018). A call for Canada to move toward zero plastic waste by reducing and recycling single-use plastics. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 133, 99-100. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.02.014

This article explained the negative impact of plastic waste, the various strategies put in place and to urge Canada to produce a federal ban to mitigate the amount of plastic waste generated. While plastic is a globally essential material, the present life cycle of plastic is detrimental to the environment as the majority of plastic waste ends up in the ocean. This would, in turn, have adverse effects on marine lives and all the levels in the food chain. Thus, policies like “Marpol 73/78” and “Honolulu Strategy” were introduced by international governments in the hope of reducing marine plastic debris. Besides that, numerous countries have successfully put in place different strategies to reduce single-use plastic bags such as banning the sale of lightweight bags or charging customers for it. With reference to the strategies input by other countries, the authors wish to hasten the idea for Canada to consider a federal ban on single-use plastics even though a number of municipalities across Canada have already banned plastic bags as they feel that it will be more effective.

The article emphasizes the severity of the impact of plastic waste on the environment, which highlights the importance of the need to address this problem. This serves as a platform that supports the reason why my team is researching this topic. The authors also brought up the existing strategies that were implemented by other countries to curb plastic waste management, providing examples of the current practices that relate back to my research topic of plastic waste management.