Our Fresh Water Is Seeing More Plastic Litter due to COVID-19: Here’s what Canada should do about it

This policy brief examines the impact of plastic pollution on Canada's freshwater systems, highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic increased the use of single-use plastics and personal protective equipment (PPE), thereby exacerbating the litter problem. It advocates for a transition from a linear to a circular economy and urges the Canadian government to implement a zero plastic waste strategy.

• Plastic pollution in Canada is extensive, with less than 10% of plastics being recycled. This results in over 3 million tonnes of plastic entering landfills or the environment annually. More than one-third of the plastics produced in Canada are for single-use products or packaging, such as bottlecaps, take-out containers, and plastic bags, which are major contributors to freshwater plastic pollution.
• Plastics in freshwater environments cause significant ecological harm. Organisms ranging from birds to algae ingest or interact with plastics, which can lead to starvation, behavioral changes, and reproductive issues. Additionally, animals may suffer physical harm or death from entanglement in debris. Plastic debris can also leach potentially toxic chemicals into the environment.
• Microplastics (pieces smaller than 5mm) are found globally, from dense cities to the Arctic, and can be ingested by humans and animals. They originate from the breakdown of larger 'macroplastics' (such as beverage bottles and food wrappers) or enter the water directly via tire wear, clothing microfibres, and microbeads from personal care products.
• The COVID-19 pandemic increased the volume of plastic litter in freshwater systems. This was driven by a higher reliance on single-use plastics—including instances where provincial health officials advised against reusable bags—and the introduction of single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks. Specifically, plastic face masks have been identified as a potential source of microplastic fibres.
• Canada's current linear approach to plastic waste, where 86% of plastic waste ends up in landfills, results in an economic loss of nearly CAD 8 billion. The document recommends transitioning to a circular economy through extended producer responsibility schemes, public tender specifications for recycled materials, and a ban on harmful single-use plastics by 2021.

APA

van Reenen, C. (2020). Our Fresh Water Is Seeing More Plastic Litter due to COVID-19: Here’s what Canada should do about it. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-08/fresh-water-plastic-covid-19.pdf

Chicago

van Reenen, Catherine. Our Fresh Water Is Seeing More Plastic Litter due to COVID-19: Here’s what Canada should do about it. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2020. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-08/fresh-water-plastic-covid-19.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=van Reenen |first1=Catherine |title=Our Fresh Water Is Seeing More Plastic Litter due to COVID-19: Here’s what Canada should do about it |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=August 2020 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-08/fresh-water-plastic-covid-19.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{vanreenen2020our, author = {van Reenen, Catherine}, title = {{Our Fresh Water Is Seeing More Plastic Litter due to COVID-19: Here’s what Canada should do about it}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2020}, month = aug, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-08/fresh-water-plastic-covid-19.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }