Canada’s federal government has aggressively pursued policies to limit single-use plastics and achieve zero plastic waste by 2030. Now, the nation’s plastics industry is urging citizens to “consider a different perspective on plastic using simplified, evidence-based information.” The conduit for this shift in thinking is the just-launched Save Plastic campaign.

The messaging from leaders in the Canadian plastics industry is that plastic is a valuable resource. When it is managed responsibly, plastic is essential for a modern, sustainable way of life. Further, it is critical in reaching Canada’s climate goals, stresses the campaign.

Save Plastic is more than just a call for action, it’s a call for meaningful change, according to campaign organizers. They cite a Government of Canada study, which states that almost $8 billion worth of plastic currently being sent to landfills could be brought back into the economy through better collection and recycling. “By saving plastic from landfills, we recover a valuable resource that will allow us to meet up to 60% of plastic demand by 2050 with recycled plastics. All the while making significant contributions to carbon net-zero actions and achieving zero plastic waste,” said the news release.

“The role of plastic in our society, while critical, continues to change,” said Bob Masterson, CEO, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, in a prepared statement. “Industry is taking the lead on innovating and investing in recycling technologies, as well as evolving the design of products and packages. Plastics will continue to play an important role in decarbonizing our economy through clean energy, the automotive sector, reducing food waste, and many other uses. We can ensure plastics are seen as a renewable resource that never reaches the landfill,” said Masterson.

Keeping plastics out of landfills while supporting innovation is an all-hands-on-deck enterprise, added Phillip Crowder, Director of Corporate Sustainability at Winnipeg-based packaging company Winpak Ltd. “Society and the environment will benefit from a system that has a harmonized list of recyclable materials, making recycling more accessible for the average Canadian.”