Companies in the Canadian plastics industry have launched "Save Plastic," a campaign demonstrating how plastic is a valuable resource that, when managed responsibly, is essential for a sustainable way of life and will be critical in reaching Canada's climate goals. This awareness-raising campaign encourages Canadians to consider a different perspective on plastic using simplified, evidence-based information.
The "Save Plastic" campaign is a call for meaningful change. A Government of Canada study states that almost $8 billion worth of plastic sent to landfill could be recuperated into the economy through better collection and recycling. By saving plastic from landfills, a valuable resource is recovered that will allow us to meet up to 60 percent of plastic demand by 2050 with recycled plastics. All the while making significant contributions to carbon net-zero actions and achieving zero plastic waste.
"The role of plastic in our society, while critical, continues to change. [The] industry is taking the lead on innovating and investing in recycling technologies, as well as evolving the design of products and packages. Plastics will continue to play an important role in decarbonizing our economy through clean energy, the automotive sector, reducing food waste, and many other uses. We can ensure plastics are seen as a renewable resource that never reaches the landfill", says Bob Masterson, CEO of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.
"It's on all of us to make sure we save plastic responsibly, keeping it out of landfills, and enabling Canadian innovation. Society and the environment will benefit from a system that has a harmonized list of recyclable materials, making recycling more accessible for the average Canadian," says Phillip Crowder, director of corporate sustainability at Winpak Ltd.
