Canada will be moving forward with a ban on single use plastics after a new government report has shed light on how bad Canada's plastic problem actually is. 

The assessment highlights evidence of negative effects on animals and the environment, as well as uncertainties regarding the potential for effects on humans. 

Minister Wilkinson stopped by @UofT’s Rochman Lab last week to learn more about plastics research and actions to reduce #plasticpollution. Check it out! pic.twitter.com/4Mh9mbVhZ3

— Environment Canada (@environmentca) January 30, 2020

According to a press release from Thursday, the Government of Canada will be further investing in research that will help expand understanding of the impacts of plastic on humans.

The information from the report has prompted the government to move forward with their promise from June to ban single-use plastic. The scope of the proposed ban covered a number of products, including  straws, take-out containers, and grocery bags. 

In Canada, up to 15 billion plastic bags are used every year and close to 57 million straws are used daily.

In reaction to the release of the federal Draft Science Assessment of #PlasticPollution supporting the need for a #singleuseplastics ban, Greenpeace Canada’s Head of Oceans and Plastics, Sarah King said:#BreakFreeFromPlastichttps://t.co/tFvK7fjFRM pic.twitter.com/9zANMnpgiG

— Greenpeace Canada (@GreenpeaceCA) January 30, 2020

According to the assessment, regulations banning single-use plastic could be in place as early as 2021. 

“Science confirms that plastic pollution is everywhere and is negatively impacting our environment. This assessment will inform our decisions as our government follows through on our commitment to ban harmful single-use plastics as soon as 2021 because Canadians expect us to,” said Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

The report also revealed that Canadians throw away over 3 million tonnes of plastic waste every year.

Of that plastic waste, only 9 percent is recycled while the rest ends up in landfills, waste-to-energy facilities, or the environment.

Canada has published a comprehensive review of the science behind plastic pollution, and this analysis confirms that plastic is a growing threat to Canada’s environment. Learn more: https://t.co/mRIP9LZNQf #BeatPlasticPollution pic.twitter.com/5QPKLZfHYV

— Environment Canada (@environmentca) January 30, 2020

The government is predicting that changes made as a result of the Draft Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution will reduce Canada's carbon pollution by 1.8 million tonnes.