Plastic bags could soon be banned across the entire country.

Jonathan Wilkinson, the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced on Wednesday the next steps in their plan to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030.

This includes banning plastic bags, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, cutlery, and food ware made from hard-to-recycle plastics by the end of 2021.

“These items are harmful to our environment and their value is lost from the economy when they are tossed in the trash,” said Wilkinson.

“This proposed ban will help drive innovation across the country as new and easier to recycle items take their place in our economy.”

According to the federal government, up to 15 billion plastic bags are used every year.

Plastic bags were previously banned in the RMWB for several years, however, it was temporarily suspended at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Canadians see the effects of plastic pollution in their communities and waterways and they expect the Government to take action,” added Wilkinson.