Canadian plastics and chemistry industries support ocean focus of new G7 Plastics Charter

The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) and the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) offered support for the oceans and waterways focus of the Ocean Plastics Charter, which was endorsed by five countries at the G7 Summit on June 9.

On June 4, CPIA and CIAC announced its members had committed to goals of 100 per cent of plastics packaging being recyclable or recoverable by 2030 and 100 per cent of plastics packaging being reused, recycled, or recovered by 2040.  There is growing common ground and recognition of the need for cooperation between the plastics industry, governments, brand owners, businesses, NGOs, and concerned citizens to protect and restore the health of the world’s oceans.

“Our members have committed to aggressive goals and to doing their part to improve the recycling and recovery of post-use plastics packaging,” said Carol Hochu, President and CEO of CPIA. “We are very pleased to see a clear endorsement of the need for collaboration, a lifecycle approach to stewardship and incentives for innovation in the Charter.”

“Plastics remain central to our future. They are a key enabler of a more sustainable way of living,” said Bob Masterson, President and CEO of CIAC. “But plastics do not belong in the ocean, nor any other waterway and we recognize that marine litter is a significant threat. We look forward to working with Minister McKenna and other stakeholder partners to develop innovations and technologies to tackle the global issue of marine litter together.”