The good, the bad, the un-recycled
We are wasteful. In a study of 17 industrialized nations, Canada generates the most municipal waste per capita, producing 894 kilos per person each year—more than double the amount in Japan.
In 2008, Canadian households generated nearly 13 million tonnes of waste, with more than 8.5 million tonnes sent to landfills and 4.4 million tonnes diverted through recycling.
Excess packaging is a significant contributor to the household waste stream. In an attempt to stem the tide, governments and the packaging industry are collaborating on the “Canada-wide Strategy for Sustainable Packaging” with the ultimate goal of zero waste created throughout the packaging life cycle. Immediate targets and timelines are still being established.
Consumers do acknowledge sustainability efforts. In a study by Datamonitor, half of survey respondents believe reduced packaging would favourably influence their purchases, and 62% believe that recyclable/compostable claims have a positive influence on demand.
CPG companies are responding with the adoption of reduced packaging and sustainable materials to improve their green cred.
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