About the Research Report

PRFLEX (Perfecting the Recycling System for Flexible Plastic Packaging) aims at improving the recovery and recycling rates of flexible plastics collected from Canadian households.

The first phase of the PRFLEX study, completed in December 2023, assessed collection and recycling rates for flexible packaging by province and analyzed gaps in infrastructure and technologies at material recovery facilities (MRFs) and recyclers.

What’s Inside: 

• An in-depth look at the current state of flexible plastic packaging in Canada, highlighting its significant share of plastic packaging and the challenges surrounding its low collection and recycling rates.
• Insights into the need for improved sorting and recycling infrastructure to increase recycled content in flexible packaging across the country.
• Key findings that assess collection and recycling rates by province, identify infrastructure gaps, and explore technology limitations at material recovery facilities and recyclers—offering actionable insights for improving recycling systems.
• A roadmap for addressing these challenges, with a focus on how stakeholders can collaborate to advance flexible packaging recycling efforts and contribute to a circular economy.

PRFLEX is a joint initiative of the Canada Plastics Pact, the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, Circular Materials, Circular Plastics Taskforce, Éco Entreprises Québec, Recycle BC, and The Film and Flexibles Recycling Coalition of The Recycling Partnership. 

If you have any further questions or would like to be a part of  the next phase of PRFLEX, reach out to [email protected].