The effects of single-use plastic waste in Vancouver.

Angela Huang

783780

Career Life Connections 11

Mr. M. Koshman

April 12, 2019

Single-use plastic waste in Vancouver 1

Introduction

Single-use plastics are found in our everyday life. It’s the most versatile product used to make a colourful

assortment of items - from plastic straws to cutlery and plastic bags. As the years go on, we use an increasing

amount of plastics; most being harmful to our environment. According to a 2018 National Geographic article by

Laura Parker, plastic in the ocean is estimated to kill millions of marine animals every year. A multitude of

species are being harmed invisibly from such things as toxic microplastics. Just as the growing consumption of

single-use plastics starts to grow, awareness and methods to prevent the waste from reaching our environment

and life have slowly been incorporated in Vancouver and globally as well. As a result, Vancouver residents

alike have started to think of ways to minimize plastic usage and have taken measures in hopes to go “zero

waste” in the near future.

Petroleum-based plastics

Petroleum-based plastics are commonly found around the world and is the type of plastic that we see on a daily

basis. They’re carbon-based polymers which commonly are made from petroleum-based oils [Woodford, 2018].

However, according to a statistic on explainthatstuff. com, the average consumer uses these plastics on an

average of 12 minutes before disposing of them. This cycle of usage proves detrimental to the environment as it

takes an estimated 100-500 years for single-use plastic to decompose in the natural environment, showing that

they impact our environment long after they’ve been used [Bernau, 2016]. In addition, these plastics will not

biodegrade into soil. Instead, it breaks down into small, tiny particles called micro plastics. Since the waste is

found littered along the shorelines of Vancouver parks and beaches, it harms the marine life too. According to

research done by the Ocean Wise Research Team in British Columbia, they found up to 3,200 of these plastic

particles per cubic metre present in the nearshore surface water [Delisle, 2017]. In the process of breaking

down, they release toxic chemicals into the water sources which then find their way into the food that we

consume. The same toxic chemicals are now being found in the bloodstreams of consumers. It has been

researched that the chemicals are known to disrupt the Endocrine system, which can lead to cancer, infertility,
Single-use plastic waste in Vancouver 2

birth defects, and can impair your immunity [plasticfreechallenge,org, 2018]. Though the effect of single-use

plastic affects us physically, it also affects us financially.

The cost of using single-use plastics

In Vancouver alone, it costs Vancouver taxpayers about $2.5 million dollars per year to collect and dispose of

these plastics as well [City of Vancouver, 2018]. As we consume more and more petroleum-based plastics,

we’re slowly harming our environment around us - not to mention our own health and financial well being. Due

to the risks and environmental impact that these non-biodegradable plastics produce, there has been an

increasing number of consumers interested in seeking alternatives; such as making reusable items that are

normally made out of plastic. This movement in trying to produce less non-decomposable plastic waste has also

caught the attention of many countries globally. This lead to an increase in research and engineering to develop

reusable and environmentally-friendly product alternatives. As a result, the most common single-use items such

as plastic bags and straws can now either be reused, or recycled.

Vancouver’s actions against plastic waste

As the topic of plastic use and waste is a rising concern for many individuals, the City of Vancouver has taken

action against the use of single-use plastics by banning the plastic straw, and making businesses reduce their

plastic use from consumers with one of these three laws; to not distribute any disposable cups/shopping bags at

all, to charge a small fee for plastic or disposable goods, or to consult and negotiate a plan to reduce plastic

waste [CBC News, 2018]. In 2016, the City of Vancouver had launched a project called the “Single-Use Item

Reduction Strategy”. The aim is to reduce waste from single-use plastics and slowly ban harmful plastic waste

by 2025 and to potentially go “zero waste” by 2040. A report in by the City of Vancouver stated that

approximately 2 million single-use plastic items are disposed in the garbage every week. According to Wood’s

report on Canadian plastic usage for The Globe and Mail, Vancouver is the first major Canadian city to plan on
Single-use plastic waste in Vancouver 3

banning plastic straws. The effect being that restaurants around Vancouver and alike are starting to adjust and

use sustainable or recyclable alternatives, such as paper straws. The effect that this has on consumers in

Vancouver is that it encourages them to be more aware of plastic usage and to either bring their own reusable

containers, or to spend a little more to have that extra convenience. As a whole, this will encourage residents of

Vancouver to slowly spend more money on reusable things that will pay off in the long run. Residents of

Vancouver and the Lower Mainland alike have taken measures into building a plastic-free lifestyle little by

little. With more notable retailers such as Superstore and Save On Foods selling reusable bags at the till, or

Starbucks selling a reusable cup for their beverages, we consumers are slowly feeding into the slow and steady

stepping stones of a plastic-free Vancouver.

A “zero waste” lifestyle

A small but growing population of Vancouver residents have gone a step further in pursuing the no plastic

waste trend - by living a “zero waste lifestyle”. This lifestyle includes such things as: using glass/stainless steel

containers instead of plastic tupper ware, buying in bulk and using your own containers, using wooden/metal

items instead of plastic ones, and making your own personal hygiene care items also. [goingzerowaste.com,

2015].

Biodegradable plastics in Vancouver

Another approach used by many major retailers and alike in Vancouver are the ideas of biodegradable single-

use plastic bags. Taking 3 – 6 months to decompose, [Serle, 2016] it is definitely a better alternative to their

other plastic counterparts which can take nearly a few hundred years to decompose. These plastics are a fairly

new concept, but effective in promoting a healthier environment and to lessen the harmful outcomes of

petroleum-based plastic. However, contrary to popular belief, most of these bio-degradable plastics are made

out of normal plastics and do not always break down into harmless compost. They sometimes will leave a toxic

residue which doesn’t make them suitable for composting [Woodford, 2018]. In addition, composting facilities
Single-use plastic waste in Vancouver 4

around Metro Vancouver do not accept these biodegradable plastics as they “do not in the compost as they do

not break down properly during processing.” [metrovancouver.org, 2017]. In the light, it’s a solution that brings

us one step forward into preventing waste from non-degradable single-use plastics. Although not very effective

so far, there are other alternatives that residents in the Vancouver area are using.

Bioplastics as an alternative

To combat the composting issue of single-use plastic bags, there is also another alternative to biodegradable

plastic bags, which are bioplastics. These plastics are usually made from organic and natural materials such as

cornstarch and cornmeal. In addition to being compostable and reusable, they do not produce an increase in

greenhouse gasses when they break down, primarily because the plants used to make these bioplastics has

already absorbed the carbon dioxide to begin with [Woodford, 2018]; resulting in an eco-friendly cycle. Since

bioplastics break down quickly and aren’t as durable as their other plastic counterparts, these bioplastics are not

common in Vancouver.

Engineering of better plastics

The rise of interest in consumers seeking better alternatives to single-use plastics has lead to better engineering

and research in making plastics that are environmentally friendly and also has lead to a shifting change in life

for a select group of consumers who follow the new “zero waste” regimen. This will ultimately affect the lives

of future Vancouver residents, as Vancouver is pushing for a “zero waste 2040”. Recently, scientists studying at

the University of Liverpool have discovered a method to make polymers from sulfur, which is an abundant

chemical waste element and a by-product of petroleum [University of Liverpool, 2019]. This encounter with

sulfur polymers could mean a breakthrough in stopping petroleum-based plastics and using plastics safer for the

environment.

The results of preventing plastic usage in Vancouver

Single-use plastic waste in Vancouver 5

According to data by CBC News, the City of Vancouver has the lowest rate of contamination in recycling

compared to the other provinces. Sitting at a low 4.6% contamination rate in recycling, this may be a direct

result of the firm education and knowledge about the importance of recycling in Vancouver [Chung, 2019].

Conclusion

As we have witnessed and read numerous articles about plastic usage and its harmful effects on the

environment, we can conclude that using non-degradable single-use plastics is becoming increasingly harmful.

If the trend does continue, then it is safe to assume that the local wildlife and marine life will be harmfully

affected as well. Correspondingly, the City of Vancouver has embarked on many ways to combat the waste; in

the process, slightly modifying our lifestyle as Vancouver residents as well. Since most biodegradable plastics

are still not deemed “safe” to degrade in the organics, we still have a lengthy journey to make a plastic that’s not

only durable and versatile, but safe to degrade in soil to protect the environment. As the years pass by and the

effort in preventing plastic usage and waste increases, Vancouver residents can start to expect less waste being

thrown out for the landfill. The effects of single-use plastics in Vancouver has lead to a significant change in

direction for the overall environment, and will initiate a subtle environmentally safe change in lifestyle for

many Vancouver residents in the near future.

Single-use plastic waste in Vancouver 6

References:

Vancouver, C. O. (2018, August 14). Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy. Retrieved from
https://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/single-use-items.aspx

Treat, J., & Williams, R. (2018, May 16). We Depend On Plastic. Now, We're Drowning in It. Retrieved from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/plastic-planet-waste-pollution-trash-crisis/

Woodford, C. Bioplastics and biodegradable plastics - How do they work? (2018, June 05). Retrieved from
https://www.explainthatstuff.com/bioplastics.html

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://research.ocean.org/project/microplastic-contamination-of-coastal-british-

columbia-ecosystem

B., Jr. (n.d.). How Long Does it Take Plastics to Break Down. Retrieved March 26, 2019, from
https://www.alansfactoryoutlet.com/how-long-does-it-take-plastics-to-break-down

What is single use plastic? (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2019, from http://
www.plasticfreechallenge.org/what-is-single-use-plastic

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://research.ocean.org/project/microplastic-contamination-of-coastal-british-

columbia-ecosystem

Serle, J. (n.d.). How long do biodegradable bags take to decompose? Retrieved from
https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/how-long-do-biodegradable-bags-take-to-decompose/

Vancouver votes to ban plastic straws, foam cups and containers by June 2019 | CBC News. (2018, May 17).
Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-plastic-straw-ban-foam-cups-
1.4666586

Woods, M. (2018, May 18). Vancouver to be first major Canadian city to ban plastic straws. Retrieved from
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-vancouver-to-be-first-major-canadian-city-
to-ban-plastic-straws/

Going Zero Waste. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.goingzerowaste.com/

Single-use plastic waste in Vancouver 7

References:

Chung, E. (2018, April 09). Many Canadians are recycling wrong, and it's costing us millions | CBC News.
Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/recycling-contamination-1.4606893

Vancouver, C. O. (2019, April 01). Annual reports for Vancouver Landfill, and Waste Management and
Resource Recovery Division. Retrieved from https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/annual-reports-
for-landfill-and-solid-waste-divisions.aspx

Staff, S. X. (2019, February 07). Scientists discover a better way to make plastics out of sulfur. Retrieved from
https://phys.org/news/2019-02-scientists-plastics-sulfur.html