Canadian Retailer - Store 2015 - 53

PARTNER MESSAGE CPIA

RECYCLING PLASTICS
So much potential
By KRISTA FRIESEN
EXCITING new advances in recycling
technology now allow many kinds of plastic packaging to be recycled right here in
Canada. The packaging is recycled or remanufactured into valuable new products
like fleece clothing, picture frames, outdoor furniture and lumber, drainage pipes,
office supplies, and back into packaging.
With the rapid advances in plastics recycling technology, the Canadian Plastics
Industry Association (CPIA) is committed to increasing plastics recycling across
the country-developing technologies
and new markets for the recycled plastic.
For many years, the CPIA has been actively working to increase the types and
volumes of plastic packaging that are
collected from Canadian households for
recycling. The association is now looking
to spread its knowledge and support for
Enhancing recycling programs makes sense both economically
plastics recycling to the industrial, comand environmentally.
mercial and institutional sectors.
Most plastic packaging generated in retail operThe benefits of starting or expanding a recycling proations can be recycled. This includes the rigid plastic gram for commercially-generated plastics are three-fold:
pails and containers that are generated from the deli, * Economic value-reduced waste disposal costs and
bakery, pharmacy and floral sections of grocery retailincreased revenue from source-separated plastics;
ers, the plastic film/overwrap that is generated from * Environmental benefits-increased diversion
almost all clothing retailers, the protective foam packrates by including a wide range of plastics in your
aging from electronic, appliance and furniture retailexisting waste management/recycling plan; and,
ers, as well as the shrink wrap from a wide range of * Leadership status-improved transparency in
retailers and other businesses.
recycling data can assist in building the case that
If you aren't already including plastic packaging in
the retail sector is already managing diversion on its
your commercial recycling stream, now is the time to
own and does not need to be further regulated.
take a look at your operations and options.
In 2014, the CPIA supported a pilot program with a If you are interested in more information about plastics
mall management firm in Ontario that established a recycling or need support in advancing your plastics
collection network for shrink wrap and polyethylene recycling programs, please visit www.plastics.ca or
film from the mall tenants. This project also included a contact Krista Friesen at kfriesen@plastics.ca.
tenant education program to promote the initiative and
communicate the new service. The CPIA has also been
active in linking retailers that generate polystyrene
foam with recyclers that want the material. Finally, the
CPIA is actively seeking grocery retailers to participate in a 2016 pilot project that will demonstrate the
economic and operational benefits of recycling storegenerated rigid plastic packaging.

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