Canada

The two-year project is one of four in the Americas addressing the issue of plastic waste as part of the EU commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to support the transition toward more sustainable production and consumption and, boost ongoing processes to create opportunities for a sustainable and circular plastics economy.

Canada shares these environmental values and has set ambitious goals to reduce plastic waste by 2030 and to promote a circular value chain for plastics. The project is building on commitments under Canada’s National Strategy and Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste and business leadership to establish new connections to broaden knowledge of successful policies and practices. The project’s activities aim to enhance the work of key influencers and decision-makers through varied peer-to-peer activities that will help strengthen existing approaches and accelerate implementation of new solutions in Canada.

The project recognizes the existing commitments and momentum by decision-makers and businesses in Canada and is focusing its activities to support these key influencers in advancing solutions to broader audiences in support these commitments

Overall Projects Objective

The project aims to deepen knowledge, strengthen approaches, and accelerate the implementation of solutions through a series of targeted activities such as peer-to-peer exchanges, workshops, knowledge reports, best-practices dissemination activities.

Enhaced international dialogue and cooperation

The collaborative activities under this project will also contribute to enriching global discussions on shared challenges and innovative policies and business models along the entire plastics value chain. Enhancing exchanges between all actors on policy and regulations, economic issues, technology, product expertise, standards and consumer education will support the creation of a circular plastics economy and set global examples of collaboration for sustainable product policy framework and actions.

Focus Areas

The programme of activities starting in 2021 to February 2023 will broaden the interactions between key Canadian influencers and governments and EU governments, businesses and organizations in areas key to a circular economy such as:

1. Extended-producer responsibility

2. Best practices in product design and promotion

3. Efficient technologies for a circular economy

4. Alternatives to single-use products

5. Procurement practices and tools

The activities will leverage partnerships with Canadian organizations to tackle key issues where exchanges can benefit a broad range of participants.