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
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 launched several initiatives to support this goal. For example, the government has launched 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.
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Growing Demand for Recycled Products Driving Market Growth
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
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 areasdeveloping 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
Market Players
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Attribute
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Details
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Base Year
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2022
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Historic Data
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2018 – 2021
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Estimated Year
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2023
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Forecast Period
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2024 – 2028
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Quantitative
Units
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Revenue
in USD Million, Volume in Tons, and CAGR for 2018-2022 and 2023-2028
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Report Coverage
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Revenue
forecast, company share, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends
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Segments Covered
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Type
Source
Method
End User
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Regional Scope
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Quebec,
Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
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Key Companies
Profiled
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Merlin Plastics, Emterra Group, GreenMantra
Technologies, TerraCycle Canada, Pyrowave, EFS-Plastics Inc., Envision SQ, Revital
Polymers, Wasteco, and Cascades Recovery
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Customization
Scope
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10%
free report customization with purchase. Addition or alteration to country,
regional & segment scope.
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|
Pricing and Purchase
Options
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Avail
customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore
purchase options
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|
Delivery Format
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PDF and Excel through Email (We can also provide the editable version
of the report in PPT/Word format on special request)
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