Canadian Plastics Association Endorses Voluntary Goals

A spokesman for the Canadian Plastics Industry Association has stated that the plastics industry supports the voluntary goal of reducing plastic shopping bags in Ontario, which was recently announced by Ontario’s Environment Minister.

"Manufacturers have been working with retailers, municipalities, and other partners for many years to promote the wise use of plastic shopping bags, and we welcome this initiative because it will help accelerate our efforts," said Serge Lavoie, president and CEO of the CPIA.

One key step would be to boost the collection for recycling of plastic bags. A survey, commissioned by CPIA and conducted by Decima Research, shows that 70 percent of Ontarians would return their bags to retail if in-store recycling programs were available to them.

The association also noted that a number of retailers in the province have been testing out collection, recycling and reuse programs.

In regard to the Minister’s announcement, Lavoie noted, "The Minister's announcement today will have a positive impact on the sector by encouraging new recycling streams and technologies, and this will lead to new job creation opportunities as well."