Data shows that in 2012, a total of 627 million pounds of waste plastic packaging were recycled in Canada, an increase of 10% compared to the previous year. A CPIA spokesperson pointed out that 83% of the recycled plastic waste originated from North America.
According to the CPIA, the plastic waste collected for recycling mainly includes plastic bottles, rigid plastic containers, plastic film, plastic bags, plastic packaging boxes, and expanded polystyrene (EPS). After being processed through special techniques, these waste materials re-enter the application field in brand-new forms such as new plastic bottles, plastic pipes, pallets, packaging crates, and horticultural products.
In terms of volume, the recycling volume of plastic bottles in Canada in 2012 was 384 million pounds, an increase of 3% over 2011; the recycling volume of rigid plastic containers was 78 million pounds, an increase of 29% over the previous year; the recycling volume of plastic bags and other plastic outer packaging was 97 million pounds, an increase of 18% over the previous year; and the recycling volume of EPS was 2 million pounds, an increase of 24% over the previous year.
“For many years, we have been committed to working together to promote the development of Canada's recycling industry and create conditions for the secondary use of plastics,” said CPIA CEO Carol Hochu in an interview with reporters.
Meanwhile, Canadian recyclers expressed their hope for more support and promotional activities to increase the sources of waste materials. A local recycler stated that in 2012, the operating rate of Canada's film and plastic bag recycling facilities was only 49%.
