Two New Online Directories Help Canadians Find a Range of Recycling Locations for Plastic Film and Foam

TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2016 -- While there is a growing number of Canadian communities that have included plastic bags, film and polystyrene foam in their curbside recycling programs, there are still quite a few who haven't. But the good news is that there are a number of other collection channels for these materials including retail locations, and municipal and private recycling depots.

To help raise awareness around the various recycling options for film and foam, the Canadian Plastics Industry Associations (CPIA) worked with US organizations to document and track the various collection options across North America. In late 2015, two new directories – www.plasticfilmrecycling.org for film and bags, and www.recyclemoreplastic.org/plastics/eps_map.html for foam – were created to provide Canadians with easy-to-use, searchable databases. Once the user enters their postal code, the websites generate a list of nearby collection locations by name and address. There's also a function that allows retail and depot establishments to add their organization name and location to the list as a drop-off point.

"CPIA rigorously supports the 3R's hierarchy which calls for us all to reduce, reuse and recycle when it comes to packaging," says Carol Hochu, President and CEO of CPIA. "Plastic film and foam are made from materials that are highly recyclable and for which there are good markets across North America."

The specific materials being targeted for collection are plastic bags and film, such grocery and retail bags, dry cleaning bags, bread and produce bags, and overwrap like the clear plastic around paper towels and beverage cases, as well as polystyrene foam packaging used for food and foodservice applications and protective packaging. All materials collected for recycling should be clean, dry and empty. Common elements that need to be removed are receipts from bags, and labels and tape from foam.

"While not every municipal curbside recycling program collects film and foam, there are thousands of other locations from coast to coast that do. And although it is true that curbside collection offers a high level of convenience for residents, these other collection locations are actually as good or better than curbside since the segregated collection means the plastic materials experience less contamination," says Krista Friesen, Vice President of Sustainability at CPIA.

In Canada, more than 60 percent(1) of the population has access to municipal recycling facilities for bags and film, and 35 percent has access to recycling programs for foam. With the addition of retail and private depot collection locations, these access rates will continue to increase.

Recycled plastic bags and film are turned into new bags and other durable products including lumber for decking, park benches, picnic tables and waste receptacles. Recycled polystyrene is used to manufacture durable construction goods as well as picture frames and mouldings.

(1) CPIA Report: Access to Residential Recycling of Packaging and Packaging Materials in Canada, 2014 data;

About CPIA:

Since 1943, the Canadian Plastics Industry Association has served as the national voice of the plastics industry across Canada and beyond, representing the interests of plastics value chain including resin and raw material suppliers, processors/converters, equipment suppliers, recyclers and brand owners.

CONTACT: Darlene Gray, Marketing Communications Specialist
         Canadian Plastics Industry Association
         905-678-7748 x239
         [email protected]
         www.plastics.ca