Canadian Plastic Recycling Climbs 24 Percent in 2011

Canadians recycled 24 percent more post-consumer plastic in 2011 compared with the previous year, according to a new study.

More than 268.5 million kilograms (590.7 million pounds) were collected for recycling in Canada in 2011, according to the Mississauga, Ontario-based Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) in a news release. The CPIA commissioned the report that was conducted by the Sonoma, Calif.-based Moore Recycling Associates Inc.

Recycling increased 70 percent for non-bottle rigids, 19 percent for bottles and 1 percent for plastic bags and outer wrap.

The CPIA said the increase occurred not only because more material is being collected for recycling, but also more companies provided recycling information.

“We are pleased that two-thirds of Canadian sourced recycled plastic was recycled in Canada,” said Carol Hochu, president and CEO of CPIA. “Our recycling industry remains strong and capable of diverting more plastics from Canadian landfills.”

Hochu said Canadian recyclers continue to have underutilized capacity.