First, recycling isn't working very well in Canada. I think we can all agree on that. Barely 9% of plastic is recycled, and that percentage has remained the same for 20 years. Things aren't changing. We've had some small successes here and there, but recycling isn't working very well. That's partly because virgin plastic is cheaper than recycled plastic. It's a challenge, it's a problem.
Second, food packaging needs to be safe, and retailers prefer plastic that's safe. With recycled plastic, you don't know if it contains chemicals or toxins. That's a second challenge.
So, what can we do? A cap—a limit on plastic production—is, in my view, the only way to prevent a continuous discharge of pollution into our coastal waters. However, I also fully agree with my colleague that it's very important to establish an improved recycling system in Canada. While this isn't the whole solution, it is important.