A new initiative in British Columbia is calling on local organizations to help keep plastics out of the environment by not creative plastic waste in the first place.
According to the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan, the use of plastics in manufacturing is growing rapidly, but only a small fraction is recycled back into the plastic supply chain. The recycled plastics manufacturing stimulus fund will expand the use of innovative technologies to turn used plastics into new products, support the circular economy of plastics, increase local processing capacity for recycling and create new jobs.
“Plastic overuse, waste and pollution are impacting environmental and human health all over the globe, and consumers are increasingly demanding products made with recycled content,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “There is enormous potential for plastic waste to be source material for new products – keeping it out of landfills and protecting our environment – another strategy in our CleanBC Plastics Action Plan.”
The $5-million program will be administered by the Alacrity Foundation of BC, a Victoria-based not-for-profit organization that connects entrepreneurs and innovators with support, mentorship and capital.
“It’s clear that we need to move away from single-use plastics and make better use of post-consumer recycled materials,” said Richard Egli, managing director of Alacrity Canada. “By identifying projects and companies that have innovative solutions when it comes to plastic recycling, we can help boost B.C.’s manufacturing supply chain and create new jobs and opportunities.”
Alacrity has over a decade of experience supporting technology entrepreneurs in developing small- and medium-sized companies throughout western Canada. Companies that are part of the Alacrity Cleantech Program use innovation to develop solutions for microplastic pollution and ocean monitoring, water treatment, energy efficiency and other crucial sectors.
The following criteria will apply to all applications:
- Eligible organizations include Indigenous groups or organizations; not-for-profit organizations; social enterprises, community contribution companies or co-op organizations; and private companies.
- Projects are to be located within B.C. and completed by December 31, 2021.
- Applicants commit to providing one-third of eligible project costs toward the total cost of the project.
- Projects must achieve at least one of the following outcomes:
- increase B.C.’s processing capacity to supply more post-consumer resin (PCR) plastics to product and packaging manufacturers;
- increase the use of PCR plastic in manufacturing; or
- support PCR plastic product research, design and testing (including trials with potential to increase use of PCR plastic).
Proposals will be accepted until February 15, 2021. Fund recipients and their projects are expected to be announced by April 2021.
The fund webpage and application form can be found here.
