Canadians back single-use plastic bans as reusable bag adoption rises – Research Co. reports

CANADA – Most Canadians support the federal government’s ban on selected single-use plastic products, with a growing number of consumers adopting reusable alternatives and reducing their reliance on plastic packaging, according to a new survey by public opinion firm Research Co.

The findings suggest that Canada’s phased implementation of the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations has helped consumers gradually adapt to the new rules while encouraging more sustainable shopping habits.

Introduced in stages beginning in 2022, the regulations prohibit the manufacture, import and sale of six categories of single-use plastic products, including checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, ring carriers, stirring sticks and straws.

Research Co. President Mario Canseco attributed the strong public support to the government’s gradual rollout of the measures.

“There was a negative reaction from the public when some of the initial bans were implemented because there was no grace period,” Canseco said.

“The federal government opted for a phased-in approach, and that is partly responsible for the level of support being as high as it is. There was an opportunity for consumers to change their behavior over a reasonable period. This makes things easier for manufacturers and retailers.”

The survey found majority support for banning flexible six-pack rings (60%), plastic stir sticks (59%), checkout bags (58%), plastic straws (56%) and plastic cutlery (52%).

More than half of respondents also supported restrictions on plastic foodservice packaging such as clamshell containers, cups, plates and bowls.

Consumer behaviour has also shifted significantly since the regulations came into force. According to the poll, 84% of Canadians now use reusable bags when carrying groceries from stores.

Older consumers have been the quickest to adopt the practice, with 92% of respondents aged 55 and above using reusable bags, compared with 84% among those aged 35 to 54 and 77% among consumers aged 18 to 34.

The survey also found that more than half of Canadians are using fewer plastic packaging products than before the bans were introduced, while around three in ten reported little change in their purchasing habits.

Meanwhile, 77% of respondents said they recycle packaging materials, including bottles and cans, either “all of the time” or “most of the time,” indicating continued public support for circular economy initiatives.

Despite the positive results, Canseco noted that some challenges remain, particularly regarding foodservice packaging and plastic clamshell containers that continue to be widely used in grocery retail.

The findings come as Canada continues to strengthen its broader chemicals and packaging sustainability agenda.

Last year, the federal government began phasing out per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging materials, with a consultation on additional PFAS management measures across food packaging and other consumer products expected in 2027.

The survey reflects a broader global trend toward tighter regulation of single-use plastics, with governments increasingly combining product bans, extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes and recycled content requirements to accelerate the transition toward more circular packaging systems.

For packaging manufacturers and consumer goods companies, the shift underscores the growing importance of designing products that align with evolving regulatory frameworks and changing consumer expectations around sustainability.

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