Canada is intensifying its efforts to tackle plastic waste and pollution within the textile and apparel industry. As textiles rank as the fifth-largest category of plastic waste in Canadian landfills, the government is prioritizing strategies to keep these materials within the economy and out of the environment.
On July 4, Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced the initiation of a consultation process to develop a roadmap to address plastic waste and pollution in the textile and apparel sector. This consultation invites Canadians and stakeholders to provide feedback until September 1, 2024. The insights gathered will contribute to the creation of a draft roadmap, scheduled for publication later this year.
Building on the interest and engagement of key stakeholders, the proposed waste-management approach emphasizes maintaining textiles within the circular economy as long as possible. This strategy prioritizes redesign, reduction, reuse, repair, and recycling over energy recovery and landfilling. The government's approach underscores the importance of transitioning towards a more sustainable and circular economy.
Synthetic clothing, which sheds microfibers during wear and laundering, is a significant contributor to microplastic pollution. With synthetic fibers like polyester comprising around 54% of global fiber production, the environmental impact is substantial. In Canada, limited collection and recycling of textiles result in approximately 98% of plastic textile waste ending up in landfills. Additionally, about 878 tonnes of microfibers are released into North American waters annually.
Minister Guilbeault emphasized that addressing plastic waste and pollution across all sectors is crucial for protecting the planet and fostering a greener, more prosperous future. By preventing textile and apparel waste from reaching landfills or becoming environmental pollutants, Canada aims to maintain the economic value of plastics while mitigating their ecological footprint.
Since 2018, the Government of Canada has collaborated with organizations and stakeholders to advance research on microfiber pollution, identify challenges and opportunities, and pilot recycling and waste diversion programs in the textile and apparel sector. These initiatives are part of Canada’s broader, evidence-based plan to reduce plastic waste and pollution through targeted actions across the plastics lifecycle.
Furthermore, Canada’s Federal Plastics Registry will play a pivotal role in collecting data on plastics in textiles, including market quantities and end-of-life management. This data will inform future policy decisions and industry practices, reinforcing the government's commitment to a circular economy for plastics.
As global clothing production has surged by 400% over the past 20 years, the urgency to address plastic waste in the textile sector is clear. Canada’s efforts to develop and implement sustainable solutions reflect a commitment to reducing environmental impact while fostering economic sustainability. The ongoing consultation and resulting roadmap will be crucial in guiding these efforts towards a more circular and environmentally conscious textile industry.
