Leading Canadian Producer Responsibility Organizations Receive Recycling Leadership Award for the Development of Canada-Wide Ecodesign Guidelines for Packaging and Paper
New guidelines serve as an important step towards harmonized national framework
Five Canadian producer responsibility organizations – Circular Materials, Éco Entreprises Québec, Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba, Recycle BC and SK Recycles – have received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR). The award is for individuals or organizations who are going above and beyond to adopt recyclable packaging within their field.
Last fall, the organizations began collaborating to develop ecodesign guidelines to support greater recyclability of packaging and paper products building on the packaging ecodesign and recyclability guidelines originally developed by Éco Entreprises Québec in 2024. This initiative marked a major step towards a harmonized national framework that will provide clear guidance to thousands of producers who market their goods in more than one province or territory across Canada. The development of the guideline is underway and the anticipated completion date is December 2026.
With extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging and paper being rolled out in several provinces and territories, ecodesign is a key tool to improve the performance and cost efficiency of recycling systems. By better matching product packaging with current and developing sorting and recycling infrastructure, ecodesign can support increasing overall material recovery rates, meet EPR regulation requirements and enable a circular economy across Canada.
“We are very excited to be recognized for our leadership in the development of national ecodesign and recyclability guidelines by the APR. The guidelines reflect a national collaboration and shared vision to support better packaging and paper recycling across Canada, enhance environmental performance and build a more circular economy.” — Joint quote from the leaders of Circular Materials, Éco Entreprises Québec, Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba, SK Recycles and Recycle BC.
The second annual APR Recycling Leadership Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose outstanding innovations are shaping the future of plastics recycling. The APR Recycling Leadership Awards program was established in honor of the 30th anniversary of the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability. Since 1994, the APR Design® Guide has helped thousands of companies design packaging that is truly compatible with recycling processes, leading to millions of items successfully getting recycled and avoiding landfill. Good design reduces costs throughout the recycling value chain, improves productivity, and ensures high-quality post-consumer resin (PCR) that can reduce the need for new plastic.
Representatives from the organizations accepted the award at the Plastics Recycling Conference in Chula Vista, California.