Canada plastic recycling market
is expected to grow impressively through 2028 due to the increased
awareness of environmental issues. In 2021, global plastic recycling was
estimated at roughly USD 39.6 billion.
Plastic recycling is the
process of recovering and reusing plastic materials that would otherwise be
discarded as waste. Recycling plastics reduces the amount of waste in landfills,
conserves natural resources, and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Plastic
waste is a major environmental problem. According to the World Economic Forum,
more than 8 million tons of plastic waste end up in oceans every year, harming
marine life and the environment. In addition, plastic waste in landfills takes
hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful chemicals into the soil and
water. Recycling plastic reduces the amount of plastic waste that ends up in
landfills or the environment, conserves natural resources, and reduces energy
consumption.
Plastic recycling is an
important process that can help reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills
and the environment, conserve natural resources, and reduce energy consumption.
By understanding the different types of plastics and the plastic recycling
process, we can take steps to reduce our plastic waste and support sustainable
recycling programs. However, several challenges need to be addressed to make
plastic recycling more efficient and economically sustainable. As consumers, we
can help by reducing our plastic consumption, properly disposing of our plastic
waste, and supporting local recycling programs.
The plastic recycling market
in Canada has been steadily expanding over the past few years, driven by
increased awareness of the environmental impact of plastic waste and the
consequent rise in the demand for recycled plastics. According to a report by
the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA), Canada recycles around 9% of
its plastic waste, with the majority of recycled plastics being exported to
other countries. However, there has been a significant increase in domestic
recycling capacity in recent years, with several new recycling facilities
opening across the country. One of the biggest players in the Canada plastic
recycling market is Merlin Plastics, which operates five recycling facilities
in Western Canada and processes over 120,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste each
year.
While the country market is expanding
significantly, it also faces several challenges that may act as a hindrance in its
growth trajectory. One of the biggest challenges is contamination, as plastic
waste often contains other materials such as food residue and labels that can
make it difficult to recycle. To address this issue, the CPIA has launched a
program called Operation Clean Sweep, which encourages companies to implement
best practices to reduce plastic waste and improve recycling.
Environmental Awareness and
Government Regulations Driving Market Growth
One of the main drivers of
the plastic recycling market in Canada is the increased awareness of
environmental issues. Consumers are becoming more aware of the negative impact
that plastic waste has on the environment and are looking for ways to reduce
their environmental footprint. As a result, there is a growing demand for sustainable
products, including products made from recycled plastics.
Another key driver of the
Canada plastic recycling market is government regulations. The federal
government has set a target of achieving zero plastic waste by 2030 and has
introduced several initiatives to support this goal. For example, the government
has introduced a ban on single-use plastics, including items, such as straws,
cutlery, and shopping bags. This has created a market for sustainable
alternatives, including products made from recycled plastics. In
addition to federal initiatives, many provinces and municipalities have also
introduced regulations and programs to support plastic recycling. For example,
some municipalities offer curbside recycling programs for plastic waste, and
some provinces have introduced extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs,
which require producers to take responsibility for the disposal of their
products.
Download Free Sample Report
Growing Demand for Recycled
Products Driving Market Growth
The growing demand for recycled plastics
is another key driver of the Canada plastic recycling market. As more companies
and consumers become aware of the environmental impact of plastic waste, there
is a growing demand for sustainable products made from recycled plastics. This
demand is being driven by a variety of factors, including government regulations,
consumer preferences, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The Canada plastic recycling market has
also benefited from increased investment in recent years. There has been a
growing number of startups and innovative companies entering the market, and
established players are expanding their operations to meet the growing demand
for recycled plastics. For example, Merlin Plastics, one of the largest players
in the Canada plastic recycling market, has recently opened a new facility in
Ontario, which will increase the company's capacity to process plastic waste. In
addition to investment in recycling facilities, there has also been investment
in new technologies and processes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of plastic recycling. For example, companies such as Pyrowave and Loop
Industries have developed innovative technologies to break down plastic waste
and create high-quality recycled plastics.
Major Challenges Faced by Canada Plastic
Recycling Market
One of the biggest challenges
the Canada plastic recycling market is facing is contamination. Contamination
occurs when non-recyclable materials are mixed in with recyclable materials,
making it difficult or even impossible to recycle them. Common contaminants
include food waste, grease, and non-recyclable plastics. Contamination can
reduce the quality of recycled materials and increase processing costs, leading
to higher prices for recycled products.
Another challenge that this market
has been facing is the lack of infrastructure. While there has been significant
investment in recycling facilities and technologies in recent years, many
regions in Canada still lack the necessary infrastructure to support widespread
plastic recycling. This can lead to higher transportation costs and longer
processing times, making it less economically viable to recycle plastics in
these areas.
Another challenge facing the
Canada plastic recycling market is the limited end markets for recycled materials.
While there is a growing demand for sustainable products made from recycled
plastics, there are still limitations on the types of products that can be made
from recycled materials. For example, recycled plastics may not be suitable for
certain applications, such as medical devices or food packaging. This can limit
the demand for recycled plastics and make it less economically viable for
recyclers to process certain types of plastic waste.
A lack of consumer education
is also a challenge facing the Canada plastic recycling market. While many
consumers are aware of the importance of recycling, they may not be aware of
the specific materials that can be recycled, or the proper way to prepare and
dispose of these materials. This can lead to contamination and increase the
costs associated with processing and recycling plastic waste.
Recent Trends and Developments
- In 2019, the
Canadian federal government introduced the Canada plastics innovation challenge,
a USD 100 million initiative aimed at developing innovative solutions to
plastic waste. The program is focused on four main areas: developing new
technologies to recycle plastics, developing sustainable alternatives to single-use
plastics, reducing plastic waste in aquatic environments, and increasing public
awareness of plastic waste. In addition to the innovation challenge, the
federal government also introduced a ban on single-use plastics in October
2021. The ban will be phased in over the next several years, with a focus on
items such as straws, cutlery, and shopping bags.
- The last three
years have seen significant investment in recycling infrastructure in Canada.
In 2021, the Ontario government announced a USD 10 million investment in
plastic recycling infrastructure, which will support the development of new
recycling facilities and technologies. Similarly, the Quebec government
announced a USD 5.6 million investment in the province's plastic recycling
sector in 2020. Several companies have also made significant investments in
recycling infrastructure in Canada in the last three years. For example, Merlin
Plastics, one of the largest players in the Canada plastic recycling market,
opened a new facility in Ontario in 2021, which will increase the company's
capacity to process plastic waste.
Market Segmentation
The Canada plastic recycling market is
segmented based on type, source, method, end user,
and region. Based
on the type, the market is categorized into polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene,
polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and others. Based on source, the market is divided
into bottles, films, fibers, foams, and others. Based on method, the market is
divided into mechanical, thermal, chemical, and landfill. Based on end user, the
market is segmented into packaging, building & construction, textile,
electrical & electronics and automotive, and others. Based on region, the market
is divided into Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan &
Manitoba, and the Rest of Canada.
Market Players
Merlin Plastics, Emterra
Group, GreenMantra Technologies, TerraCycle Canada, Pyrowave, EFS-Plastics
Inc., Envision SQ, Revital Polymers, Wasteco, and Cascades Recovery are key players in the Canada
plastic recycling market.
|
Attribute
|
Details
|
|
Base Year
|
2022
|
|
Historic Data
|
2018 – 2021
|
|
Estimated Year
|
2023
|
|
Forecast Period
|
2024 – 2028
|
|
Quantitative
Units
|
Revenue
in USD Million, Volume in Tons, and CAGR for 2018-2022 and 2023-2028
|
|
Report Coverage
|
Revenue
forecast, company share, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends
|
|
Segments Covered
|
Type
Source
Method
End User
|
|
Regional Scope
|
Quebec,
Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
|
|
Key Companies
Profiled
|
Merlin Plastics, Emterra Group, GreenMantra
Technologies, TerraCycle Canada, Pyrowave, EFS-Plastics Inc., Envision SQ, Revital
Polymers, Wasteco, and Cascades Recovery
|
|
Customization
Scope
|
10%
free report customization with purchase. Addition or alteration to country,
regional & segment scope.
|
|
Pricing and Purchase
Options
|
Avail
customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore
purchase options
|
|
Delivery Format
|
PDF and Excel through Email (We can also provide the editable version
of the report in PPT/Word format on special request)
|
Report Scope:
In this report, the Canada plastic recycling market has
been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends,
which have also been detailed below:
- Plastic Recycling Market, By Type:
- Polyethylene
- Polyethylene
Terephthalate
- Polypropylene
- Polyvinyl Chloride
- Polystyrene
- Others
- Plastic Recycling Market, By Source:
- Bottles
- Films
- Fibers
- Foams
- Others
- Plastic Recycling Market, By Method:
- Mechanical
- Thermal
- Chemical
- Landfill
- Plastic Recycling Market, By End User:
- Packaging
- Building & Construction
- Textile
- Electrical & Electronics
- Automotive
- Others
- Plastic Recycling Market, By Region:
- Quebec
- Ontario
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Saskatchewan & Manitoba
- Rest of Canada
Competitive landscape
Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present
in Canada Plastic Recycling market.
Available Customizations:
With the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations
according to a company’s specific needs. The following customization options
are available for the report:
Company Information
- Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players
(up to five).
Canada Plastic Recycling Market
is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish early delivery of this
report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]