If you surf in Canada, you\u2019ve seen it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s in the foam that’s washed up on the shore, it’s tangled around water plants, its killing sea life, and it shows up when you dig your feet in the sand to watch the waves. Plastic is not just some distant environmental issue; it is right in front of us day after day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canada ranks among the highest per-capita plastic waste producers in the world, but only a fraction of this waste is recycled! The rest ends up exactly where surfers spend their time, in the ocean, on beaches, and in the ecosystems we depend on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But this isn\u2019t just about the trash in the ecosystems; what we’re dealing with goes deeper than floating debris and shoreline trash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The chemicals commonly used in plastics like PFAS, bisphenols and phthalates are now linked to serious health issues, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. These \u201cforever chemicals\u201d do not just break down; they build up in the water, in the wildlife, and in us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem is growing, and the hard part to turn a blind eye to is the fact that global plastic production is projected to triple by 2060. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What this means is more waste, more contamination, and more pressure on the coasts that are already struggling. It is not a theory for surf communities, it’s a reality as it’s a direct hit to the places we rely on for connection, culture, and escape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the power for change lies in the government, as earlier this year, the Federal Court of Appeal confirmed that the federal government has the authority to regulate harmful plastics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now this leaves no room for excuses, and organizations like the Surfrider Foundation Canada <\/a>are pushing for change now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Real action is needed, and it is not about minor tweaks in the system; it is about changing the systems that create the problem from the get-go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This means phasing out more single-use plastics, eliminating toxic chemicals from packaging and products, investing in refill\/reuse systems, and backing a global treaty that caps plastic production, not just manages it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n