Maya Ellison
Canadians are concerned about the impact of plastic waste and pollution, and the Government of Canada is taking steps to address this issue. In 2018, 4.4 million tonnes of plastic waste were thrown away, with only 8% of it being recycled. Most plastic waste ends up in landfills, while about 1% ends up polluting the environment. Canada is working towards a goal of zero plastic waste by implementing new measures, such as investing in science and collaborating with provinces and territories. Additionally, organisations like Recycle BC are responsible for residential plastic packaging collection and recycling in British Columbia. Flexible plastics, such as plastic bags, can be recycled into items like synthetic lumber or new plastic bags. However, it's important to note that each province and municipality in Canada may have different recycling programs and regulations, so it's advisable to check with local authorities for specific guidelines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic waste in Canada in 2018 | 4.4 million tonnes |
| Percentage of plastic waste recycled in Canada in 2018 | 8% |
| Plastic waste ending up in landfills in Canada | Majority |
| Plastic waste ending up in the environment as plastic pollution in Canada | 1% |
| Plastic pollution reduction potential in Canada by 2030 | 42,000 jobs |
| Plastic bag recycling in British Columbia | Curbside recycling not included; drop-off at a participating depot free of charge |
| Plastic household items recycling in British Columbia | Not included in regulated recycling programs; some municipal and regional landfills, transfer stations, and recycling facilities may accept certain types of plastics |
| Plastic bag disposal in Ottawa | Used gloves, masks, and paper facial tissues should be placed in plastic bags and then in waste bins |
| Plastic bag usage in Ottawa | Plastic bags are used to line waste bins for COVID test kits, broken glass, and other sharp items |
| New recycling system in Ottawa | Fully transitioned to a new system by 2026 with standardized collection across Ontario |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bag recycling in British Columbia
Plastic bag recycling is a pressing issue in Canada, with citizens concerned about the impact of plastic waste and pollution. In 2018, only 8% of the 4.4 million tonnes of plastic waste produced by Canadians was recycled, with the vast majority ending up in landfills. To address this issue, British Columbia has implemented several measures as part of its CleanBC Plastics Action Plan.
Recycle BC, a non-profit organisation, plays a crucial role in residential packaging and paper recycling throughout the province. They ensure that household materials are collected, sorted, and responsibly recycled. Their program is funded by over 1,200 businesses, including retailers, manufacturers, and restaurants, shifting costs away from homeowners. While Recycle BC does not manage curbside or multi-family recycling services directly, most communities in British Columbia are part of their program.
The province has expanded its recycling system to include various types of plastic bags. This includes flexible plastic recycling bags (clear, blue, or yellow bags used for curbside collection) and flexible plastic carry-out shopping bags (reusable). Additionally, plastic bags with cloth, rope, or ribbon handles can be recycled if these additional materials are removed.
Other types of plastic bags that can be recycled in British Columbia include grocery and shopping bags, outer wrap for beverage containers and diapers, and garden product bags. These items can be dropped off at various depot locations across the province through the Recycle BC program. Once recycled, these plastic bags are transformed into new plastic bags, pallets, containers, or decking material.
It is important to note that "certified biodegradable" or "certified compostable" plastics may not always biodegrade properly in commercial composting facilities. Therefore, it is recommended to check with your municipality or service provider to ensure they can be accepted in your green bin.
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Plastic bag waste in Canada
Plastic waste is a significant concern for Canadians, with 4.4 million tonnes of plastic waste generated in 2018, only 8% of which was recycled. Most plastic waste ends up in landfills, while about 1% becomes plastic pollution in the environment, amounting to 1 kilogram per person per year in Canada. To address this issue, the Government of Canada is taking measures to improve plastic waste management and reduce plastic pollution. These measures include investing in scientific research, collaborating with provinces and territories, and working with industry leaders to facilitate change.
In Canada, the recycling of plastic bags varies by province and municipality. For example, in British Columbia, an organisation called Recycle BC is responsible for residential plastic packaging collection and recycling. They ensure that household materials are collected, sorted, and responsibly recycled, with 99% of the plastic remaining in Canada and processed by Merlin Plastics. However, it's important to note that this program only includes plastic bags from residents and not from commercial businesses.
Some municipal and regional landfills, transfer stations, and recycling facilities in British Columbia may accept certain types of plastics for recycling independently of provincial programs. Additionally, some private plastic recyclers accept plastic household items for recycling, usually at a cost. It's recommended to check with local resources, such as RCBC's Recyclepedia or the RCBC Recycling Hotline, to find specific drop-off options for plastic bags and other plastic items.
In the City of Ottawa, residents are provided with guidelines for proper waste disposal and recycling. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, residents were instructed to place used masks, gloves, and rapid COVID test kits in plastic bags before disposal to ensure the safety of waste collection operators. Other guidelines include placing paper facial tissues in plastic bags and disposing of them in the green bin and cutting plastic six-pack holders before putting them in the garbage.
Ottawa is transitioning to an Individual Producer Responsibility system, which is expected to be fully implemented by 2026. This system will standardise recycling across Ontario, allowing residents to recycle the same materials regardless of their location. This transition is anticipated to increase waste diversion from landfills and improve recycling rates for certain materials, such as film plastics.
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Plastic bag recycling in Ottawa
Plastic bags are a significant contributor to plastic waste and pollution, and many Canadians are concerned about their impact on the environment. While some plastic bags are technically recyclable, the reality is that the vast majority of plastic bags are not recycled and end up in landfills or as plastic pollution. In 2018, only 8% of the 4.4 million tonnes of plastic waste generated by Canadians was recycled.
In Ottawa, the City recommends that residents reuse plastic bags or bring them to a Take it Back! partner. Clear/blue/biodegradable plastic bags are not accepted by the City of Ottawa.
Some residents of Ottawa have reported taking their plastic bags to Loblaws South Keys or Metro on Merivale for recycling. However, it appears that Metro locations in Ottawa have stopped accepting plastic bags for recycling as of March 2024.
One resident suggests reusing plastic bags for garbage or dog waste. Another suggests that milk bags, which are thicker than regular single-use bags, can be recycled through organizations that specialize in recycling this type of plastic. Terracycle is one option for recycling plastics, but it requires payment.
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Plastic bag recycling programs in Canada
Plastic bags can take up to a thousand years to break down. Many plastic bags end up in landfills, contributing to environmental pollution. To reduce plastic waste, some grocery stores and retailers in Canada offer a Plastic Bag Take-Back Program, which collects plastic bags for recycling. Before dropping off your plastic bags, it is advisable to contact your local grocery store or retailer to confirm if they collect plastic bags.
In addition to the Plastic Bag Take-Back Program, Recycle BC, a non-profit organisation, manages residential packaging and paper recycling in British Columbia. They ensure that household materials are collected, sorted, and responsibly recycled. Although Recycle BC is not directly responsible for curbside or multi-family recycling services, many communities are part of their program.
The City of Ottawa is transitioning to an Individual Producer Responsibility system, which is expected to increase waste diversion from landfills by accepting more recyclable products, such as film plastics. Residents of Ottawa are advised to dispose of their recyclables in an approved City of Ottawa blue bin, without using plastic bags. Rigid #6 plastics like yogurt cups are accepted, while clear/blue/biodegradable plastic bags and expanded #6 plastics like Styrofoam are not.
To comply with legal obligations, many producers in Ottawa join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO). Producers pay fees to a PRO, which uses the revenue to facilitate the collection, sorting, and recycling of materials. This creates a more efficient and consistent material management supply chain.
By implementing a circular economy for plastics, Canada could reduce plastic and carbon pollution, generate revenue, and create approximately 42,000 jobs by 2030.
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Plastic bag recycling labels in Canada
Plastic bag recycling in Canada is a complex issue, with various types of plastics and recycling methods, as well as evolving government regulations and public awareness initiatives.
To start, it's important to understand the different types of plastic bags and their recyclability. Plastic bags can be broadly categorized into two types: rigid and flexible. Rigid packaging maintains its shape even after the contents are removed, while flexible packaging is designed to change shape, such as bags, pouches, tubes, and sachets. This includes shopping bags, waste bags, and frozen food bags, which are often made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). LDPE bags need to be separated and properly recycled; otherwise, their value decreases. They can be recycled into new products like furniture, garbage bags, trash bins, and shipping envelopes.
However, recycling plastic bags is not as simple as tossing them into a recycling bin. The recycling process for plastic bags varies, and some bags need to be cut up, melted down, and mixed with chemicals, while others need to be compressed and transported to specialized facilities. This complexity often leads to low recycling rates and high contamination levels in the recycling stream. To address this, the Government of Canada is working on introducing clear labelling rules to improve the accuracy of information provided to Canadians on whether an item should be recycled or not. These rules aim to prohibit the use of terms like "degradable," "biodegradable," or "compostable" unless certain conditions are met, and restrict the use of the chasing-arrows symbol to products accepted by 80% of Canada's recycling facilities.
The How2Recycle label is another initiative that provides consistent and transparent on-pack disposal information to consumers in Canada and the US. This label includes information on recyclability, special instructions for effective recycling, the type of packaging material, and the specific packaging item being referenced. Additionally, the government is taking broader measures to improve plastic waste management, such as banning harmful single-use plastics, developing a federal plastics registry, and setting ambitious recovery targets for plastic beverage containers.
It's worth noting that plastic resin identification codes, such as the numbers inside the recycling symbol, do not always indicate recyclability. These codes merely identify the type of plastic the material is made of. For instance, Plastic #1 (Polyethylene terephthalate or PET) is widely recycled, while Plastic #10 (Polyvinyl chloride or PVC) is challenging to recycle due to its chemical composition and must be separated during the recycling process.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bags are recyclable in Canada, but the recycling process varies by province and municipality. In British Columbia, for example, plastic bags and plastic film are not included in the curbside recycling program but can be dropped off at a participating depot free of charge.
Plastic bags that can be recycled include wrappers for candy and cookies, cereal bags, and potato chip bags.
In British Columbia, Recycle BC is responsible for residential plastic packaging collection and recycling. You can visit their website to find a list of participating communities and drop-off locations.
Yes, some municipal and regional landfills, transfer stations, and recycling facilities may accept certain types of plastics for recycling independent of provincial programs. Additionally, some private plastic recyclers accept plastic household items for recycling, usually at a cost.
The Government of Canada is working towards its goal of zero plastic waste by investing in science and research, greening government operations, collaborating with provinces and territories, and partnering with industry leaders to facilitate change.
