Funding: Plastics Challenge: Advancing Reuse to Replace Single-Use Plastics

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is seeking environmentally acceptable and cost-effective innovative systems or technologies to increase the adoption of reuse systems to replace single-use plastic packaging.

Problem Statement

The use of single-use plastic packaging has increased exponentially in recent decades, contributing to the growing issue of plastic waste. Approaches that include upstream solutions, such as reduction and reuse, are the most effective means to prevent plastics from becoming waste in the first place. Reusable packaging that is safely and efficiently refilled and reused for its original purpose can reduce waste while providing additional benefits to consumers and industry.

New and established businesses continue to implement elements of reuse to provide more sustainable purchasing options. However, while public demand for sustainable options is increasing, the adoption of reuse systems (such as refillable container systems) remains low due to increased cost and lack of convenience (perceived or real), among other factors. Opportunities exist both to improve and to increase the implementation of reuse systems.

Desired Outcomes and Considerations

Essential (mandatory) outcomes

Proposed solutions must:

1. Accelerate the adoption and/or scaling of reusable packaging solutions to displace single-use plastics, such as tools or systems to increase the number of times that reusable packaging is returned and recirculated
2. Minimize environmental impact in comparison to existing reuse practices (e.g. reduced waste, energy consumption, decreased transportation movements leading to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions) where comparable practices exist. Where no comparable practices exist, be environmentally acceptable
3. Be safe for human health (e.g. appropriate sanitisation procedures, where applicable)
4. Be cost-effective
5. Demonstrate convenience of use and functionality, either by improving existing practices where such practices exist or as a viable alternative to existing reuse practices, including improved or novel packaging designs

Additional outcomes

Proposed solutions should:

1. Leverage or build upon existing habits or business practices
2. Reduce the use of difficult-to-recycle single use primary food plastic packaging
3. Take into account varying levels of access to technology and digital literacy among members of the public
4. Address the challenges associated with scaling reuse systems across rural and/or remote areas
5. Aid users in the return of reusable goods for further distribution. This could include supporting reverse logistics to facilitate intra-business reuse or supporting logistics needed for the precompetitive inter-business sharing of pooled reusable resources
6. Utilize novel technological opportunities, such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence, to improve one or more aspects of reuse programs, such as reverse logistics
7. Produce a reuse system that generates zero plastic waste through using alternative materials in product design
8. Be applicable to sectors other than packaging to reduce plastic waste (e.g. textiles, construction, automotive)

For more information visit: Plastics challenge: Advancing Reuse to Replace Single-Use Plastics (canada.ca)