Identifying barriers to reducing single-use plastic use in a coastal metropolitan city in Canada

Abstract

Nearly half of all plastic produced is discarded after a single use. Single-use plastics (SUPs) are persistent in the environment and commonly found during shoreline and coastal cleanups. The food service industry is a major source of SUPs used by consumers. Business recognition programs can help reduce SUP use in the food service industry but have only been implemented in small coastal communities in Nova Scotia (e.g., Ocean Friendly Nova Scotia [OFNS]). Due to its coastal proximity, Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) was chosen for this case study. HRM is the largest coastal metropolitan city in Nova Scotia and has potential for SUP leakage into the marine environment, but currently has no business recognition program to reduce SUP use. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, this study identified the main barriers to reducing SUP use in HRM. Two online surveys gauged interest in reducing SUP use among community members and food-based businesses in HRM. Follow up interviews with interested businesses aimed to understand concerns and challenges faced by business owners to reduce SUP use, and subsequent potential leakage into the marine environment. Results indicate overwhelming public interest in SUP reduction, as well as concerns among businesses about sourcing sustainable alternatives. Recommendations include increasing accessibility of sustainable alternatives, a guide for best practices, and public education. These recommendations may serve as a roadmap for SUP reduction strategies across different jurisdictions.