Plastic recycling needs the 10% solution!

SPEC ALERT:
The use of plastic packaging is growing, but recycling of plastic packaging is not keeping pace. Plastic packaging sales in North America rose 9% last year, while plastic recycling rates actually dropped by 1%.

The decline in plastics recycling, which began two years ago, has been caused by competition from cheap virgin (new) plastic. Virgin PET (#1) plastic is being mass-produced, and prices have dropped so low that recycled PET can’t compete (who would buy recycled plastic, when new plastic was cheaper?) As a result, the recycling rate for plastic’s star performer – the pop bottle – dropped more than 10% between 1995 and 1997 (from a recycling rate of 46.1% to 35.8% of bottles sold).

Soon HDPE (#2) milk jugs will meet a similar challenge. They are currently the second-most-recycled plastic (30.6% are recycled). The plastic industry has announced expansion of production of HDPE, which will drive down HDPE prices, decimating markets for recycled HDPE bottles.

How can we create stable markets for recycled plastic in the face of competition from mass-produced virgin resins? One way is to mandate the use of recycled plastic in applications where it is suitable.

By setting a modest 10% minimum recycled content level in certain plastic products, we can begin to create sustainable markets for the millions of recyclable plastic bottles that are being recycled every day by well-intentioned Canadian consumers – and at the same time slow down the rate of depletion of a non-renewable resource.

How would the system work?
Most of Canada’s provincial governments already have the power to create regulations to require recycled content. If these provinces worked together, they could enact the same regulation, creating a single Canadian standard for plastic containers. This would ease compliance by packaged goods manufacturers – and set a good example for other countries.

What packaging would be affected?
SPEC has written a Model Recycled Content Regulation which would designate specific container categories that would be subject to the recycled content requirement. Initially, the regulation would apply to rigid plastic containers (bottles, tubs and pails) that do not have contact with food, cosmetics or pharmaceutical products. A 10% minimum content level in these containers would secure a stable market for plastic milk jugs and coloured HDPE bottles being collected in local Canadian communities. The Model Recycled Content Regulation would allow additional plastic packaging categories to be added in the future.

Who would be responsible?
The company whose brand is on the label would be required to comply (it is brand-owners who choose the design of their packaging). The brand-owner would obtain certification of recycled content from the container manufacturer who supplies the packaging. The rules would apply to imported products as well as locally produced ones. Any additional cost would be passed on to consumers, but the impact on consumer prices would be imperceptible.

How can Canadian organizations and individuals help get the ball rolling?
New laws are created in response to public demand. If you support the proposal for a recycled content regulation which would strengthen markets for recycled plastic, follow the easy instructions on this page. Together, we can develop a simple, made-in-Canada solution to our plastics recycling problem!

The 10% solution
a made-in-Canada solution to our plastics recycling problem!

1.    Sign on

Complete the following form and return it to SPEC (see bottom of sheet):
name: _______________________
organization: __________________
mailing address: ______________________
phone number: _______________________
e-mail address: __________________________

2.    Speak up- Send a letter to your MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, and enclose a copy of the Model Recycled Content Regulation. Tell him/her you support the idea of a recycled content regulation for plastic, and want to see your province work with the other provinces to create a Canadian standard of 10% recycled content in rigid containers (bottles, tubs, pails) that do not have contact with food, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.

3.    Spread the word-  Do you know of someone else who might like to get behind this initiative? Forward this notice to them!
This 10% solution campaign was started by SPEC (Society Promoting Environmental Conservation). SPEC is British Columbia’s oldest environmental organization (founded in 1969). We focus on urban ecology issues. For more information about SPEC and our other campaigns, contact us:

SPEC
2150 Maple Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 3T3
phone: 604/736-7732
fax: 604/736-7115
email: enviro@spec.bc.ca
Draft: Jan 19/99

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