The Canada Plastics Pact is leading Canada’s response to the escalating plastic crisis. We exist to eliminate plastic waste by accelerating and scaling the solutions that will keep plastics in the economy and out of people, animals and the environment. Through fostering innovation and collaboration, our 100+ Partners from across the plastics value chain are taking meaningful steps to eliminate unnecessary and problematic plastics, redesign packaging and increase their use of recycled plastic.

CLEAR ACTIONABLE TARGETS

Block 1

Define a list of plastic packaging that is to be designated as problematic or unnecessary and take measures to eliminate them

Block 2

100%
plastic packaging designed to be reusable, recyclable or compostable

Block 3

50%
of plastic packaging is effectively recycled or composted

Block 4

30%
recycled content across all plastic packaging

The Canada Plastics Pact is a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Plastics Pact network, a globally aligned response to plastic waste and pollution, that enables vital knowledge sharing and coordinated action. The Foundation, through its New Plastics Economy initiative, has united more than 1,000 organizations behind a common vision for a circular economy for plastic.

 

Together, we are tackling plastic pollution with plastic solutions.

Ocean Plastics Charter
Ocean Plastics Charter

The Charter brings together leading governments, businesses and civil society organizations to support its objectives and commit to taking action to move toward a more resource efficient and sustainable approach to the management of plastics.

Circular Economy Leadership Canada releases ‘A Vision for a Circular Economy for Plastics in Canada’
Circular Economy Leadership Canada releases ‘A Vision for a Circular Economy for Plastics in Canada’

This report provides five recommendations for Canadians to evolve the plastics economy from one that is linear and wasteful to one that offers economic growth without waste.

Read the report.

CCME Canada-Wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste Phase One
CCME Canada-Wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste Phase One

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) approved in principle the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste, which aims to reduce plastic waste, support improved reuse and value recovery to reducing the amount of plastic released in our environment.

Canada Plastics Pact development and recruitment
Canada Plastics Pact development and recruitment

More than 40 businesses and organisations across the plastics packaging value chain united to tackle plastic waste and pollution in Canada.

CCME Canada-Wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste Phase Two
CCME Canada-Wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste Phase Two

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) approved in principle the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste (the Strategy), to reduce plastic waste and pollution and recover the value of plastics through reuse, repair, remanufacture, refurbishment and recycling.

Launch of the Canada Plastics Pact
Launch of the Canada Plastics Pact

Canada Plastics Pact is a unique multi-stakeholder, industry-led, cross-value chain collaboration platform which aims to tackle plastic packaging waste and pollution by bringing together businesses, government, non-governmental organizations and other key actors in the local plastics value chain who are united, working together on achieving clear, actionable targets by the year 2025.

Launch of CPP Roadmap to 2025
Launch of CPP Roadmap to 2025

The Canada Plastics Pact Roadmap is a shared action plan that will result in real progress to reduce plastic waste in Canada. Built through unprecedented collaboration between companies, organizations, and governments across the entire plastics value chain, this Roadmap presents a shared vision for a circular economy for plastics packaging and a collaborative action plan to drive tangible change by 2025.

Government of Canada proposed Single Use Plastics Ban
Government of Canada proposed Single Use Plastics Ban

Government proposes the development of a comprehensive plan to address plastic pollution in the long term that includes a ban on certain harmful single-use plastics in the short term.

Launch of CPP’s Compostables Rapid Action Group
Launch of CPP’s Compostables Rapid Action Group

The objective of this group is to deliver guidelines on compostables packaging in Canada.

UN Resolution to develop a Treaty on Plastic Pollution
UN Resolution to develop a Treaty on Plastic Pollution

The United Nations creates the world’s first ever global plastic pollution treaty that will have ripple effects on businesses and economies around the world.

Launch of CPP’s Source Reduction Rapid Action Group
Launch of CPP’s Source Reduction Rapid Action Group

The objective of this group is to publish guidance to support the elimination of unnecessary and problematic plastics in Canada.

CPP Launches the Canadian guidance for the Golden Design Rules for Plastics Packaging
CPP Launches the Canadian guidance for the Golden Design Rules for Plastics Packaging

The Golden Design Rules for Plastic Packaging provides guidance and global standards for Canadian companies to adjust their packaging design and contribute to a circular economy for plastics packaging.

CPP launch of first pilot standup pouch with 20% PCR* content
CPP launch of first pilot standup pouch with 20% PCR* content

In the CPP Recycled Content Working Group, Nova Chemicals and EFS-plastics Inc. developed a mono-material PE pouch with 20% recycled content for plant food applications.

Release of CPP 2020 baseline data
Read the Report

The Baseline Report marks an important starting point for the CPP and its efforts to transition to a more circular economy for plastics packaging in Canada, with an emphasis on collaboration to drive the systems change required.

Canada Joins the Global High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution
Canada Joins the Global High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution

The High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution is committed to develop an ambitious international legally binding instrument based on a comprehensive and circular approach that ensures urgent action and effective interventions along the full lifecycle of plastics.

UN Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations Begin in Uruguay
UN Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations Begin in Uruguay

The first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-1), took place at Punta del Este Convention and Exhibition Centre, Uruguay.

CPP Hosts First In-Person Partners Summit
See our Partners

More than 100 individuals representing more than 50 organizations from across the plastics value chain gathered in Toronto for a day of knowledge sharing and collaboration to continue to work towards building a circular economy for plastics packaging in Canada.

Canadian Government’s Single-Use Plastics Ban Takes Effect
Canadian Government’s Single-Use Plastics Ban Takes Effect

Canada prohibits the import and manufacture of single-use plastic checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware made from problematic plastics, stir sticks, and straws.

Launch Of 2021 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report

CPP publishes an aggregated overview of the reporting data from CPP Partners during its launch year.

Release of Study On Reuse & Refill Of Plastic Packaging In Canada
Release of Study On Reuse & Refill Of Plastic Packaging In Canada

This national ecosystem scan evaluates and highlights the opportunities to implement reuse and refill systems as a way to reduce the amount of single-use plastic waste and move towards a more circular economy for plastic packaging.

Release of B.C. IC&I Waste Flows Study
Release of B.C. IC&I Waste Flows Study

This baseline research aims to better understand the quantity and composition of packaging and paper products (PPP) disposal and diversion (including various types of plastic packaging) from the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.

CPP Joins Circularity Leaders to Launch PRFLEX
CPP Joins Circularity Leaders to Launch PRFLEX

The Canada Plastics Pact (CPP), the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC), Circular Materials, the Circular Plastics Taskforce (CPT), Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ), Recycle BC, and The Film and Flexibles Recycling Coalition of the The Recycling Partnership joined forces to launch PRFLEX, an initiative aimed at improving the recovery and recycling rates of flexible plastics collected from Canadian households.

Launch of Flexibles Roadmap & Guidance to Improve the Recyclability of Flexible Plastic Packaging & Films In Canada
Launch of Flexibles Roadmap & Guidance to Improve the Recyclability of Flexible Plastic Packaging & Films In Canada

Built through collaboration between companies, organizations, and governments across the entire plastics value chain, this 5- Year Flexibles Roadmap presents a shared vision for a circular economy for flexible plastic packaging and a collaborative action plan to drive tangible change between now and 2027.

CPP Hosts 2023 Partners Summit
Our Partners

A wide range of stakeholders, including resin producers, manufacturers, retailers, government representatives, recyclers, NGOs, and others, gathered with a shared vision of advancing a circular plastics economy in Canada.

The Federal Court overturns single-use plastic ban
The Federal Court overturns single-use plastic ban

The court found that the classification of plastics in the cabinet order was too broad to be listed as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The Government of Canada has acted to appeal the overturning of the ban.

Release Of Discussion Paper To Improve Data Collection, Reporting & Transparency Within The Plastics Packaging Value Chain
Release Of Discussion Paper To Improve Data Collection, Reporting & Transparency Within The Plastics Packaging Value Chain

This paper explores the challenges the Canadian consumer packaged goods industry faces with plastics data gaps as it strives to achieve reductions in overall packaging waste – plastics and other single-use materials – alongside carbon emission reduction goals.

Launch of 2022 Annual Report
Read our latest annual report

CPP publishes an aggregated overview of the reporting data from CPP Partners during its second year.

Release of PCR Integration Guide
Release of PCR Integration Guide

The CPP’s Recycled Content Working Group released a guidance document on Integrating PCR in Plastic Packaging to support CPP Partners and other key stakeholders in achieving their recycled content targets and goals.

CPP attends Plastic Action Zone Side Sessions at INC-4
CPP attends Plastic Action Zone Side Sessions at INC-4

The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4), took place from 23 to 29 April 2024 at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Canada.

Release Of Guidance Document to Support the Elimination of Unnecessary & Problematic Plastics
Release Of Guidance Document to Support the Elimination of Unnecessary & Problematic Plastics

This document includes a list of unnecessary or problematic items and flagged four in transition as industry collaborates to scale solutions.

Announced Recipients of Reuse Accelerator Projects
Announced Recipients of Reuse Accelerator Projects

The CPP’s Reuse Accelerator Pods, an initiative partially funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, will support the scaling of two proven reuse/refill applications and address knowledge and infrastructure gaps that are hindering scaling returnable or refillable packaging systems in Canada.

Release of PCR Certification Principles
Release of PCR Certification Principles

Read a comprehensive framework for evaluating certification programs for post-consumer recycled content in plastics in Canada.