Five Canada organizations develop eco-design, recyclability guidelines

For the first time in Canada, five producer responsibility organizations, Circular Materials, Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ), Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba, SK Recycles and Recycle BC, have collaborated to develop eco-design guidelines to support greater recyclability of packaging and paper products.  

The organizations say this initiative will provide guidance to producers who market goods in more than one province or territory across Canada. 

With extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging and paper being rolled out in several provinces and territories, the organizations say eco-design is a key tool in improving the performance and cost efficiency of recycling systems.  

“For more than 15 years, ÉEQ has been recognized as a leader in eco-design in Canada,” says Maryse Vermette, ÉEQ president and CEO. “By incorporating eco-design into our EPR mandate, we are ensuring consistency and accountability, which are key to changing practices." 

By matching product packaging with current and developing sorting and recycling infrastructure, the organizations say eco-design can increase material recovery rates, meet EPR regulation requirements and enable a circular economy across Canada. 

The nationally harmonized guidelines will build on the packaging eco-design and recyclability guidelines originally developed by ÉEQ and will be structured around three main eco-design strategies, including: 

“The national harmonization of eco-design and recyclability guidelines reflects a shared vision to support producers in their eco-design efforts and help mitigate material recycling challenges at different sorting and processing stages,” say the leaders of Circular Materials, ÉEQ, Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba, SK Recycles and Recycle BC. “This collaboration will lay the groundwork for a national approach that will better support the recycling of packaging and paper across the Canadian marketplace—ultimately enhancing environmental performance and building a more circular economy.” 

In October 2024, ÉEQ launched its first packaging eco-design and recyclability guidelines, which were updated in July 2025. The other four organizations endorsed the guidelines in October 2025. 

By the end of 2026, the organizations say the new eco-design and recyclability guidelines will simplify guidance for producers and improve the performance of recycling systems for packaging and paper across Canada. 

“This collaboration represents an important milestone for Canada's recycling systems and for producers across the country,” says Karen Melnychuk, executive director at Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba. “By working together to harmonize eco-design and recyclability guidelines, we are helping producers make informed choices that reduce waste and strengthen the circular economy.