GATINEAU, QC, July 4, 2024
/CNW/ - Textiles is the fifth-largest category of plastic waste
sent to landfills in Canada.
Furthermore, through regular wear and tear and when washed,
synthetic clothing sheds plastic microfibres—tiny thread-like
fibres that become microplastic pollution. As part of its
comprehensive plan to reduce plastic waste and pollution, the
Government of Canada is looking
for ways to increase the circularity of the textile and apparel
sector to keep these materials in the economy and out of the
environment.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment
and Climate Change, launched a consultation to solicit feedback on
the development of a roadmap to address plastic waste and pollution
from the textile and apparel sector.
Building on the early interest and engagement from key
stakeholders in the sector, the consultation document suggests a
waste-management approach that keeps textiles and apparel in the
circular economy for as long as possible. Prioritization will focus
on the redesign, reduction, reuse, repair, and recycling of
products over energy recovery and landfilling.
Until September 1, 2024, Canadians
and interested parties are invited to comment on the consultation
document and provide feedback. Comments received will help develop
the draft roadmap to be published later this year.
Quotes
"After welcoming the world last April in Ottawa for the Fourth Session of the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, we are more committed than
ever to ending plastic waste and pollution in our own country. We
are now reflecting on how we can prevent textile and apparel waste
from going to landfill, being incinerated, or leaking into the
environment as pollution. Addressing plastic waste and pollution in
all sectors of our economy is the key to protecting the planet and
creating a greener and prosperous future, while keeping plastics in
the economy and out of the environment."
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment
and Climate Change
Quick facts
- Globally, about 80 billion new pieces of clothing are made each
year—this is 400 percent more than 20 years ago. Synthetic fibres,
such as polyester, represent around 54 percent of the world's fibre
production.
- In Canada, there is currently
very limited collection and recycling of textiles, and
approximately 98 percent of plastic textile waste ends up in
landfills. In addition, about 878 tonnes of microfibres are
released from synthetic textiles during laundering into fresh and
marine waters in Canada and
the United States annually.
- According to Statistics Canada's Physical Flow Account for Plastic
Material, around 290 kilotons of synthetic textile products (for
example, made of polyester, nylon, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and/or
acrylic) were purchased in Canada
in 2020. In that same year, around 280 kilotons were discarded as
waste.
- Since 2018, the Government of Canada has been working with and supported
organizations and key stakeholders to advance research on
microfibre pollution, assess and identify challenges and
opportunities to reduce waste, and pilot recycling and waste
diversion programs in the textile and apparel sector.
- Canada's Federal Plastics
Registry will collect data on plastics in textiles, including
quantities of textiles placed on the market and their end-of-life
management.
- Working with the textile and apparel sector to develop and
implement targeted solutions is an important part of Canada's ambitious, evidence-based, and
comprehensive plan to reduce plastic waste and pollution and move
toward a circular economy for plastics through a range of
complementary actions across the plastics lifecycle.
Associated links
- Share and View Ideas: Consultation to Address Plastic Pollution
and Waste from the Textile and Apparel Sector
- Federal Plastics Registry
- Canada Zero Plastic Waste Agenda
Environment and Climate Change Canada's X (Twitter) page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada