Canadian plastics industry sponsors projects to reduce marine litter

MISSISSAUGA, ON–The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) is sponsoring two projects dedicated to the reduction of marine litter in Canada, said an industry release.

The first is British Columbia based ‘Upcycle the Gyres Society’ (UpGyres) towards their “proof of concept” pilot project: Plastic comes out of the ocean – Plastic goes into a machine – Plastic turns into clean fuel.

Upcycle the Gyres Society (www.upgyres.org) is a diverse community of people working together to accelerate existing eco-tourism, upcycling, and marine plastic harvesting practices into clean-up action of the ocean currents.

They consist of a multinational group of business and sustainability leaders, environmentalists, and innovators committed to pioneering the new industry of Marine Plastic Eco-Recovery, and Upcycling. The initiative is based around the globe.

The second is PlasticShore (www.plasticshore.org), a federal non-for-profit that strives to reduce plastic pollution through community engagement and education. 

PlasticShore is conducting a pilot project this summer/fall in association with Encorp Pacific to recycle plastic debris into commercial product lines. The goal is to generate a continual source of funding to reduce plastic pollution by promoting and rewarding corporate social responsibility through a certification mark, said the association. 

Companies that help to sponsor the PlasticShore initiative can use the recycled plastic debris in their product lines with a certification mark to identify that the product was made with plastic debris. All proceeds go towards supporting environmental charities and community projects.

“CPIA, a signatory to the Global Declaration for Solutions on Marine Litter, is committed to continued efforts in Canada to reduce marine litter. We look forward to working with UpGyres and PlasticShore to add value to existing and new opportunities for expanding the recovery of plastics.” says Carol Hochu, President and CEO, CPIA.

 “The Canadian plastics industry has a dozen projects complete or in progress to further recycling and recovery opportunities to reduce plastics entering the marine environment. We invite all Canadians to visit www.marinelittersolutions.com to learn more about the plastics industry initiatives for the protection of our seas and oceans”, says Cathy Cirko, Vice President CPIA.