Summary

Canada plastic recycling market is expected to grow impressively through 2028 due to the increased awareness of environmental issues. In 2021, global plastic recycling was estimated at roughly USD 39.6 billion.
Plastic recycling is the process of recovering and reusing plastic materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste. Recycling plastics reduces the amount of waste in landfills, conserves natural resources, and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Plastic waste is a major environmental problem. According to the World Economic Forum, more than 8 million tons of plastic waste end up in oceans every year, harming marine life and the environment. In addition, plastic waste in landfills takes hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful chemicals into the soil and water. Recycling plastic reduces the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or the environment, conserves natural resources, and reduces energy consumption.
Plastic recycling is an important process that can help reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills and the environment, conserve natural resources, and reduce energy consumption. By understanding the different types of plastics and the plastic recycling process, we can take steps to reduce our plastic waste and support sustainable recycling programs. However, several challenges need to be addressed to make plastic recycling more efficient and economically sustainable. As consumers, we can help by reducing our plastic consumption, properly disposing of our plastic waste, and supporting local recycling programs.
The plastic recycling market in Canada has been steadily expanding over the past few years, driven by increased awareness of the environmental impact of plastic waste and the consequent rise in the demand for recycled plastics. According to a report by the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA), Canada recycles around 9% of its plastic waste, with the majority of recycled plastics being exported to other countries. However, there has been a significant increase in domestic recycling capacity in recent years, with several new recycling facilities opening across the country. One of the biggest players in the Canada plastic recycling market is Merlin Plastics, which operates five recycling facilities in Western Canada and processes over 120,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste each year.
While the country market is expanding significantly, it also faces several challenges that may act as a hindrance in its growth trajectory. One of the biggest challenges is contamination, as plastic waste often contains other materials such as food residue and labels that can make it difficult to recycle. To address this issue, the CPIA has launched a program called Operation Clean Sweep, which encourages companies to implement best practices to reduce plastic waste and improve recycling.
Environmental Awareness and Government Regulations Driving Market Growth
One of the main drivers of the plastic recycling market in Canada is the increased awareness of environmental issues. Consumers are becoming more aware of the negative impact that plastic waste has on the environment and are looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint. As a result, there is a growing demand for sustainable products, including products made from recycled plastics.
Another key driver of the Canada plastic recycling market is government regulations. The federal government has set a target of achieving zero plastic waste by 2030 and has introduced several initiatives to support this goal. For example, the government has introduced a ban on single-use plastics, including items, such as straws, cutlery, and shopping bags. This has created a market for sustainable alternatives, including products made from recycled plastics. In addition to federal initiatives, many provinces and municipalities have also introduced regulations and programs to support plastic recycling. For example, some municipalities offer curbside recycling programs for plastic waste, and some provinces have introduced extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, which require producers to take responsibility for the disposal of their products.
Growing Demand for Recycled Products Driving Market Growth
The growing demand for recycled plastics is another key driver of the Canada plastic recycling market. As more companies and consumers become aware of the environmental impact of plastic waste, there is a growing demand for sustainable products made from recycled plastics. This demand is being driven by a variety of factors, including government regulations, consumer preferences, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The Canada plastic recycling market has also benefited from increased investment in recent years. There has been a growing number of startups and innovative companies entering the market, and established players are expanding their operations to meet the growing demand for recycled plastics. For example, Merlin Plastics, one of the largest players in the Canada plastic recycling market, has recently opened a new facility in Ontario, which will increase the company's capacity to process plastic waste. In addition to investment in recycling facilities, there has also been investment in new technologies and processes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of plastic recycling. For example, companies such as Pyrowave and Loop Industries have developed innovative technologies to break down plastic waste and create high-quality recycled plastics.
Major Challenges Faced by Canada Plastic Recycling Market
One of the biggest challenges the Canada plastic recycling market is facing is contamination. Contamination occurs when non-recyclable materials are mixed in with recyclable materials, making it difficult or even impossible to recycle them. Common contaminants include food waste, grease, and non-recyclable plastics. Contamination can reduce the quality of recycled materials and increase processing costs, leading to higher prices for recycled products.
Another challenge that this market has been facing is the lack of infrastructure. While there has been significant investment in recycling facilities and technologies in recent years, many regions in Canada still lack the necessary infrastructure to support widespread plastic recycling. This can lead to higher transportation costs and longer processing times, making it less economically viable to recycle plastics in these areas.
Another challenge facing the Canada plastic recycling market is the limited end markets for recycled materials. While there is a growing demand for sustainable products made from recycled plastics, there are still limitations on the types of products that can be made from recycled materials. For example, recycled plastics may not be suitable for certain applications, such as medical devices or food packaging. This can limit the demand for recycled plastics and make it less economically viable for recyclers to process certain types of plastic waste.
A lack of consumer education is also a challenge facing the Canada plastic recycling market. While many consumers are aware of the importance of recycling, they may not be aware of the specific materials that can be recycled, or the proper way to prepare and dispose of these materials. This can lead to contamination and increase the costs associated with processing and recycling plastic waste.
Market Segmentation
The Canada plastic recycling market is segmented based on type, source, method, end user, and region. Based on the type, the market is categorized into polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and others. Based on source, the market is divided into bottles, films, fibers, foams, and others. Based on method, the market is divided into mechanical, thermal, chemical, and landfill. Based on end user, the market is segmented into packaging, building & construction, textile, electrical & electronics and automotive, and others. Based on region, the market is divided into Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan & Manitoba, and the Rest of Canada.
Market Players
Merlin Plastics, Emterra Group, GreenMantra Technologies, TerraCycle Canada, Pyrowave, EFS-Plastics Inc., Envision SQ, Revital Polymers, Wasteco, and Cascades Recovery are key players in the Canada plastic recycling market.
Report Scope:
In this report, the Canada plastic recycling market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends, which have also been detailed below:
• Plastic Recycling Market, By Type:
o Polyethylene
o Polyethylene Terephthalate
o Polypropylene
o Polyvinyl Chloride
o Polystyrene
o Others
• Plastic Recycling Market, By Source:
o Bottles
o Films
o Fibers
o Foams
o Others
• Plastic Recycling Market, By Method:
o Mechanical
o Thermal
o Chemical
o Landfill
• Plastic Recycling Market, By End User:
o Packaging
o Building & Construction
o Textile
o Electrical & Electronics
o Automotive
o Others
• Plastic Recycling Market, By Region:
o Quebec
o Ontario
o Alberta
o British Columbia
o Saskatchewan & Manitoba
o Rest of Canada
Competitive landscape
Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in Canada Plastic Recycling market.
Available Customizations:
With the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company’s specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:
Company Information
• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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