The Government of Canada estimates about 8-million tonnes of plastic waste end up in the oceans annually, about the equivalent of dumping the contents of one garbage truck full of plastic into our water every minute.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he wants it to stop.
Sunday's Earth Day celebration is reminding people of the plastic waste problem that exists, not only in Canada, but around the world.
People in Sudbury were asked if they think they could live without plastic and we received mixed opinions.
"It's impossible. Like driving a car, like heating your home, there are things you just can't avoid or you simply just can't exist, you can't live in this modern society, but surely there must be a way that we can greatly reduce." said Normand Vallee.
"There's no real need for them, other than convenience, what are we really doing here? I mean people like to do it for convenience, but you’re just polluting the earth. We can totally get rid of that stuff, we don't need any of it." said James Bedggood.
The Prime Minister wants the Group of Seven (G7) to sign a Zero Plastics Waste Charter this June in Quebec.
Meanwhile, Canada is still trying to get a handle on what it wants to do about the problem.
So what can the public do in the meantime?
Stephen Monet is the Manager of Environmental Planning Initiatives with the City of Greater Sudbury and says opting for bringing lunches in reusable containers goes a long way.
"Bringing their own reusable bags. Also in terms of lunches, our own lunches, lunches for the kids, there are many schools that are on board with litter-less lunches. So, the idea here is to use less pre-packaged food and maybe more whole food." said Monet.
Canadians are also being encouraged to take part in an online survey though the Government of Canada's website.
The hope is that ideas will help to develop a federal, provincial and territorial approach to keep plastic out of landfills.
