ECCC commissioned this Economic Study of the Canadian Plastic Industry, Markets and Waste in July 2018.

The scope of the study, encompassing most plastics types used across all key sectors, is a unique attempt to shed light on the entire plastics value chain in Canada, from raw material production and products manufacturing to use and end-of-life. The authors leveraged a wide selection of primary and secondary sources to complete the four task reports that constitute the backbone of the results presented in this summary report (Deloitte, 2019a) (Deloitte, 2019b) (Deloitte, 2019c) (Deloitte, 2019d). In addition to national statistics, the authors reviewed over 220 documents and industry reports and conducted more than 130 interviews.

This report first presents an overview of the plastics value chain beginning with raw material production (virgin plastics resins) before moving into plastics products manufacturing and their end-use in key sectors, and concluding with an analysis of their end-of-life management. The report then describes 2030 scenarios, highlighting potential paths for the plastics value chain, in particular relating to end-of-life performance. The report then presents a high-level economic, environmental and social impact assessment to discuss the scenarios and their feasibility. Finally, the report introduces a review of policy measures that could be implemented to support the growth of the secondary plastics markets in Canada.

Read the full report