Circular Plastics Taskforce: Danone and Dr Pepper among big players to join recycling scheme
27 Feb 2020 --- In light of a global anti-single-use plastics sentiment, five major companies in Canada’s food, beverage and packaging sector, including Danone and Dr Pepper, have joined forces to create the Circular Plastics Taskforce (Groupe d’action plastiques circulaires or GAPC). The collaboration will develop a circular economy for plastics, in partnership with the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) and with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada. The group will map the recycling value chain and use pilot projects to test innovative solutions.
Based on the initial timeline, the first phase of the project will run through October 2020.
Joining Danone Canada and Keurig Dr Pepper Canada are Cascades (sustainable packaging), Dyne-a-pak (rigid packaging) and TC Transcontinental (flexible packaging). Éco Entreprises Québec will also support the project as a consultant and financial partner. Moreover, the CPIA has teamed up with several Canadian environmental organizations to identify and recommend solutions for optimizing the handling of plastics throughout the recycling value chain. The goal is a closer alignment between market needs and recycling stakeholders – material recovery facilities (MRF) and packaging companies.
CPIA has teamed up with several Canadian environmental organizations to identify and recommend solutions for optimizing the handling of plastics throughout the recycling value chain.“We are all aware of the need to recover plastics more effectively in Canada, but more important still, to recycle them within a circular economy. Our goal is to see all types of plastic recycled locally and to develop a strong recycled resin market in the province. For that to happen, we need to step up support for our MRFs and packaging companies. We’re committed to taking action and being part of the solution,” explain GAPC’s founding members.
To address the challenges currently facing the recycling industry in Canada, the group will be “fostering the expansion of existing markets” and “creating new dynamic local and national markets.” These will be fueled by a high-performance industry that produces quality recycled materials, in order to lay the foundations for a truly circular plastics economy. This project, driven by industry leaders, is therefore fully in line with the Quebec government’s recent announcement regarding its willingness to reinforce the responsibility of producers in the recycling system management.
Environment and Climate Change Canada will help fund the initial project phase with a contribution of almost CAD$475,000 (US$355K) over two years. The rest of the funding of this first step will come from the contribution of the GAPC’s founding members, as well as from Éco Entreprises Québec, who will also support the project with their expertise and know-how.
GAPC also works with various provincial government agencies in drawing up the provincial government’s plastics strategy.
“The issue of plastic recycling is a growing concern for the public and this venture is a clear sign that we’re moving in the right direction and that the industry is committed to finding concrete solutions,” said Sonia Gagné, CEO of RECYC-QUÉBEC.
The move comes as industry and governments globally are making moves towards recycling and banning single-use plastics. Early this year, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced a halt on both the production and use of single-use plastic products. Meanwhile, the European Parliament voted to approve a sweeping ban – The Single Use Plastics Directive (SUDP) – of the ten single-use plastics that are most commonly found on European beaches.
On the industry side, Nestlé announced an investment of up to two billion Swiss francs (US$2.08 billion) to pioneer the shift from virgin plastics to food-grade recycled plastics and accelerate the development of innovative sustainable packaging solutions. Furthermore, Starbucks’ CEO, Kevin Johnson, unveiled last month the company’s new sustainability goals which notably include moving away from single-use plastics and toward more efficient waste management.
By Kristiana Lalou
