One year after Oregon became the first U.S. state to implement a packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) residential recycling program, another first emerged: the first U.S. EPR lawsuit has gone to trial. The case, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) v. Feldon, challenges aspects of Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act (RMA). The NAW – a trade association […]
The Trials and Tribulations of Packaging EPR Read More »
Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) recently released its 2025 Review on the Modernized Curbside Recycling System, representing the first full year operating under a full Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model, where producers are responsible for both funding and operating the packaging recycling system. While Québec has had a legislated packaging EPR program in place for decades,
Reviewing Québec’s New EPR Recycling Data Read More »
From the evolution of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, to plastics policy in flux, the pending CUSMA review, PFAS, and environmental claims, these are some of the environmental issues the Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) will be watching in the year ahead. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – a
PPEC Environmental Outlook: What We’re Watching in 2026 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 »
Paper bags have been back in the news recently due to a decision by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) on their new bag supplier. In April 2023, the LCBO announced they would ban paper bags from their stores for environmental reasons, which PPEC and others challenged. A year later, the Premier directed Ontario’s
The Recyclability of Paper Bags Should Not Be Controversial Read More »
Last year the Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) asked if we were putting the cart before the horse when it came to considering a regulated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approach for recycling packaging in the non-residential sector, commonly known as the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional or IC&I sector. Revisiting that question now and
Revisiting EPR for IC&I Read More »
International Women’s Day is not just a celebration of women’s achievements but also a reminder of the importance of gender equality and inclusivity. In Canada’s paper packaging industry, women play an integral role in driving sustainability forward. From leadership positions to frontline roles, women contribute their expertise, knowledge, insights, and experience in advancing the circularity
Celebrating International Women’s Day with Candice Ruggero from Cascades Recovery+ Read More »
The Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) monitors environmental issues impacting the Canadian paper packaging industry, especially recycling, since recycled paper-based materials are an important supply of our industry’s feedstock. To that end, we track federal and provincial government activities on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which is a policy approach in which a producer
Are we putting the cart before the horse when it comes to EPR in the IC&I sector? Read More »
