CIAC advocates for a circular economy for plastics to Ontario government ahead of ministers’ meeting

As the new Ontario government prepares for the Council of Canadian Ministers of the Environment meeting in Ottawa on November 23, 2018, CIAC advocates for circular economy policy development.

November 8, CIAC Regional Director for Ontario, Don Fusco and Executive Vice President, Isabelle Des Chênes met with key officials from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade with the following messages:

  • Plastics and other litter in the environment is unacceptable.
  • It is a waste of precious resources for plastics to be used once and discarded to landfill.
  • Industry, government and citizens all have a role to play to end plastics litter and create a circular economy for plastics.
  • Policies should be science and life-cycle based.

New innovations and technologies currently in operation or being commercialized in Ontario have evolved plastics recovery beyond the traditional energy-from-waste model to value-added plastics manufacturing. Ontario can play a leadership role by modernizing its regulations to recognize and enable greater opportunities for the recovery and diversion of non-recycled plastics. Doing so can lead to better environmental and economic results.