Recycling takeaway coffee cups has long been a challenge. Most are made from paperboard lined with a thin layer of plastic or polyethylene to resist liquids, and this lining can make it more difficult to process in recycling systems. As a result, cups have often been excluded from municipal curbside recycling programs. But that’s beginning […]
Advancing Coffee Cup Recycling in Canada Read More »
After nearly three years of negotiations, the sixth round of talks on a global plastics treaty concluded on August 15 in Switzerland. Representatives from 183 countries – including Canada – and more than 400 organizations met to work toward a legally binding agreement addressing plastic pollution across its full lifecycle, from design and production to
Why the Global Plastics Treaty Matters for Canada’s Packaging Industry Read More »
The Ontario government recently proposed amendments to the province’s Blue Box Regulation, triggering swift reactions from stakeholders. As the environmental voice of Canada’s paper packaging industry, the Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) believes it’s important to move beyond reactionary narratives and look at the facts. Instead of pointing fingers or pitting stakeholders against
Beyond the Headlines: Context on Ontario’s Proposed Blue Box Changes Read More »
Every so often, a new packaging item ends up with a bull’s-eye on its back. One year it’s plastic bags. The next year, it’s paper bags. Ironically, it’s rarely the reusable bag that gets the same attention – despite the average Canadian owning 23 of them, which might even seem low when you open your
It Was Never About the Straws Read More »
Statistics Canada recently released the results of its Waste Management Survey[1], which includes national waste diversion data for 2023. In this blog, PPEC breaks down the numbers with a focus on paper fibre diversion, discusses the latest plastic figures in the context of recent federal election platforms, and highlights the importance of recycling data. 2023
New StatsCan Data Shows Paper Fibres Most Diverted Material Read More »
As discussions continue around the United States proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian imports —including paperboard and cardboard — it’s important to consider not only the potential economic implications, but also the possible environmental implications. While these tariffs are still under review, they raise questions about how trade policy may influence packaging decisions and business sustainability
Exploring the Environmental Implications of Potential Tariffs Read More »
International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate women’s achievements and reflect on the importance of gender equality and inclusivity. In Canada’s paper packaging industry, women play a vital role in driving sustainability, from leadership positions to frontline operations, contributing their insights and experience to advance environmental sustainability. As we mark International Women’s Day on
Celebrating International Women’s Day with Paulina Leung from Emterra Group+ Read More »
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – a policy approach which makes producers financially and physically responsible for managing the recycling of their packaging – is at a pivotal moment in Canada. By the end of this year, most provinces will have adopted full producer responsibility models for residential packaging recycling programs, which represents a major shift in how
What’s better than pizza? Pizza that comes in a box that can be recycled! As we celebrate National Pizza Day on February 9, 2025, the Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) is highlighting the recyclability of pizza boxes and their role in the Canadian paper packaging industry’s circular economy. How is a Pizza Box
The Circular Life of a Recyclable Pizza Box in Canada Read More »
From the evolution of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, to navigating potential regulations on PFAS use, and getting closer to receiving guidance on environmental claims, all while keeping an eye on the shifting political landscape. These are just a few of the issues the Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) will be focusing
PPEC Outlook: Environmental Issues in Focus for 2025 Read More »
