About the Research Report

This research analyzes the volume of plastic packaging generated across Canada in 2019 and examines how it is managed throughout its lifecycle, excluding the industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sector.

What’s Inside: 

• Provides a system-level view to anchor CPP’s progress toward its targets.
• Outlines key factors shaping the Canadian plastics packaging landscape.
• Identifies potential solutions and highlights areas requiring focus.
• Aims to enhance resolution and specificity in plastic packaging.
• Uses a ‘bottom-up’ approach, drawing on data from waste composition studies, reports from regulated programs, and service providers.
• Models and estimates material flows at every stage, from generation to recycling.

This report was commissioned by the Canada Plastics Pact.

Note: A 2024 Progress Report was published to provide an update on this initial study. This update not only establishes a new baseline for plastics packaging nationwide but also sheds light on the gradual progress made since our best estimates from 2019.