The Canadian government is banning companies from importing or manufacturing plastic bags and containers made from foam plastic until the end of this year, selling them until the end of next year and exporting them until the end of 2025, the AP reported.

Canada had previously announced the ban, but environmentalists were concerned about the delays and that Canada's original plan was to ban the items domestically but continue to ship them abroad. The country's Environment Minister Steven Guilbeau announced the dates on Monday.

In addition to takeout bags and boxes, the ban will affect plastic straws, bags, cutlery, stir sticks and six-pack rings that hold cans and bottles.

Last year, the federal government listed plastics as toxic materials under Canada's Environmental Protection Act, paving the way for regulations banning some of them. However, a consortium of plastics manufacturers has sued the government over the designation of plastics as toxic, and a hearing is expected later this year.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first promised in June 2019 that his government would phase out the production and use of hard-to-recycle plastic products as it aims for zero plastic waste by the end of the decade.