Canadian plastic packaging recycling rises

By Editorial Staff, Resource Recycling

The amount of plastic packaging collected for recycling in Canada increased by 15 percent from 2009 to 2010, according to findings from a trade association in the country.

The Canadian Plastics Industry Association commissioned Moore Recycling Associates, Inc. to do the research, which found that the increase was due to more material collected as well as more companies providing information. In total, over 217 million kilograms (478 million pounds) of post-consumer (including post-industrial) plastic packaging were collected for recycling in Canada and about 70 percent of which were recycled domestically.

The results are derived from a survey of over 500 companies who handle recyclable plastics in North America, including reclaimers, exporters, brokers, MRFs and other handlers of used plastics.

The quantities reported for 2010 by Moore and Associates Inc., compared to 2009, represent an increase of 13 percent for bottles, a 6 percent improvement for non-bottle rigids and an jump of 36 percent for plastic bags and outer wrap. Particularly notable, there was more than a 50 percent leap in the amount of plastic film and bags collected for recycling from commercial businesses. Of the total film and bags recovered, a third came from consumer curbside recycling programs across Canada.

According to the association, Canadian recyclers of plastics want more supply and have underutilized capacity creating ample opportunity to increase collection. For instance, it is estimated that the film and bag recycling capacity in Canada to be at 38 percent utilization of the capacity and non- bottle rigid recycling capacity is at a 47 percent utilization of the capacity.

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