< PreviousF rom fl exible plastic bags to single-use jugs, plastics are completely embedded in our everyday lives. This pervasiveness has led to plastic waste ending up in our landfi lls, oceans, and bodies — a problem that can’t be stopped by one organization alone. Luckily, there’s a network for the job. We spoke with Cher Mereweather, Managing Director of the Canada Plastics Pact, about how this organization’s collaborative eff orts are keeping Canada Plastics Pact Working together to eliminate plastic waste and pollution in Canada ● CPP Partners collaborating at the fi rst in-person Partners Summit in November . 60 CIRCULAR ECONOMY MAGAZINEthe right plastics in the economy and all plastics out of people, animals, and nature. How does the Canada Plastics Pact (CPP) bring together diverse stakeholders to create a circular economy for plastics? What attracts industry, associations, government, academia, and nonprofi ts to the Canada Plastics Pact is its vision: to eliminate plastic waste and pollution in Canada. We all know that no single organization or sector can solve the plastic crisis alone. Plastics are ubiquitous, complex, and completely embedded in our value chains. Eliminating plastic waste and pollution presents signifi cant challenges, including complex material design, insuffi cient reuse and recycling infrastructure, limited end markets for recycled materials, and the lack of harmonized approaches across Canada. To solve these challenges, it will require a mobilization of leaders and experts across sectors — that’s where the CPP steps in. Take, for example, the challenges surrounding the recycling of fi lm and fl exible plastic packaging. Flexibles account for 41% of plastic packaging generated in Canada but only about 4% of it gets recycled. To address this issue, we established our Flexibles Working Group and brought together experts to lead it. In 2023, we released a shared action plan focused on addressing the complexities of fl exible plastic packaging and outlined the steps needed. Th rough this work, a key challenge identifi ed with fl exible packaging is the use of multi-layer materials. A typical fl exible plastic package, such as a bag of nuts, can consist of up to nine diff erent layers of material. Our Golden Design Rules for Plastics Packaging1 — nine design rules focused on improving the recyclability of plastic packaging — calls for moving to a single, or “mono-material.” So, while it can still have multiple layers, they are all of the same material, making it easier to capture and recycle. We've shared guidance2 on how to make this transition, and in 2024, alongside the U.S. Plastics Pact, we co-hosted an exclu- sive knowledge series to identify innovative ways to address some of the technical chal- lenges in transitioning to mono-material fl exibles and fi lms. Our Flexibles Group is one of 10 Working Groups at the CPP bringing together diverse expertise to tackle the barriers and challenges in areas such as source reduction, packaging redesign, reuse systems, recycled content, policy and infrastructure, and data transparency, to name a few. At CPP, our goals are ambitious because the stakes are high. With landfi lls overfl owing, plastic gyres swirling in our oceans, and microplastics infi ltrating the air, water, and our bodies, we need collec- tive action, innovation, and collaboration. Our hands-on approach ensures that Partners don’t just talk about solutions — they implement them. Being part of the Pact means committing to action and accountability. It’s about showing up to collaboratively create change, leveraging and learning from each partner’s strengths, and measuring progress transparently. Can you share a success story where collaboration within the CPP led to measurable impact for reducing plastic waste? When I joined the CPP in early 2023, the organization was starting to lay the foundational groundwork needed to build momentum. With several valuable tools and guides developed, there was also a growing need to deliver tangible, With landfills overflowing, plastic gyres swirling in our oceans, and microplastics infiltrating the air, water, and our bodies, we need collective action, innovation, and collaboration. ● Cher Mereweather, Managing Director of the Canada Plastics Pact. APRIL 2025 • ISSUE 01 61on-the-ground impact. To address this, we launched our Accelerators, starting with a focus on Reuse in early 2024. Th is initiative3 identifi ed existing reuse and refi ll solutions and brought together companies, investors, and government funding to scale them. Partially funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, this initiative in- vested in EcoTank Canada and Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) to expand bulk windshield washer dispensers across Ontario and Québec, and in Friendlier to scale reusable packaging at post-secondary education campuses in Ontario and British Columbia. CTC and EcoTank’s source reduction initiative aims to signifi cantly reduce the use of single-use windshield washer fl uid jugs, which previously accounted for over 6 million units of plastic annually, or 800,000 kg of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. Every jug avoided through these dispensers not only reduces plastic waste but also extends producer responsibility (EPR) fees, giving companies more incentive to cut plastic use and switch to reusable systems where it makes sense. With the support of CPP’s Reuse Accelerator, CTC added another 20+ dispensers to Canadian Tire Gas+ gas bars in Ontario and Québec in 2024. Meanwhile, Friendlier’s eff orts to scale reusable packaging have already diverted more than 142,000 kg of plastic waste through the reuse of over 2.4 million food packages. Th ey set out to convert 50% of southern Ontario campuses, but with the desire for reuse in other provinces, their scope has extended Canada-wide, with a goal to convert 10 additional campuses and to increase product off erings at locations where Friendlier is already operating. How does the CPP align with global strategies for circularity in plastics? Th e CPP is an active participant in the Plastics Pact Network, convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP). We are among 13 Plastics Pacts, which unite over 900 businesses, governments, and organizations to drive regional eff orts to tackle plastic waste and pollution. Th e latest data from 2022 shows that the combined eff orts4 of this network have prevented the use of over 2.2 million tonnes of virgin plastic, with some Pact countries tripling recycled content rates in plastic packaging. Like every Pact, we have worked along- side our Partners to establish a national roadmap toward a circular economy for plastics. Th is includes providing knowl- edge and guidance, piloting and scaling innovative solutions to ensure the right plastics stay in the economy and all plastics stay out of people, animals, and nature. While we’ve made signifi cant strides within our region, tackling this global challenge requires collaboration across borders. Given our proximity to and close economic ties with the United States, we maintain strong alignment with the U.S. The latest data from 2022 shows that the combined efforts of this network have prevented the use of over 2.2 million tonnes of virgin plastic, with some Pact countries tripling recycled content rates in plastic packaging. ● Kent Wootton (left), Manager of Product Circular Innovations at Canadian Tire Corporation, and Jacquie Hutchings (right), Co-Founder and CRO of Friendlier, presenting their Reuse Accelerator at the CPP and ECCC Reuse Innovation Showcase in Montréal, November . 62 CIRCULAR ECONOMY MAGAZINEPlastics Pact. Looking ahead, we are planning to work with the U.S. Plastics Pact on initiatives focused on the elim- ination of unnecessary and problematic plastics to drive greater impact at scale in the North American market. We have also worked with the Consumer Goods Forum’s Plastic Waste Coalition of Action on implementing a Canadianized version of the Golden Design Rules for Plastic Packaging. Each Pact works to break down silos in their own regions and then brings the learnings to the network to advance our shared vision. Given the eff ectiveness of the Plastic Pact Network, we also see ourselves as being instrumental in the execution of the Global Plastics Treaty — an international agreement to address plastic pollution — once fi nalized. What is the biggest challenge to working with a diversity of stakeholders across the entire plastics value chain? Th e biggest challenge is aligning the many diff erent priorities, perspectives, and goals. While we share a common purpose and vision, creating a circular economy for plastics doesn't have a silver bullet solution. Everyone — from producers and manufacturers to retailers, policymakers, and recyclers — views the issues through their own lens. But this challenge is also our greatest asset. Breaking down silos enables us to bring together these diverse viewpoints to experiment with and develop inno- vative solutions that no single company or organization could identify, tackle, or scale on its own. Th e CPP works to fi nd common ground while respecting the unique roles each stakeholder plays. By working col- laboratively, we can address the complex issues and the tensions that exist while minimizing the unintended consequenc- es so that the work we’re doing is practi- cal and has a lasting positive impact. What are your key priorities and focus areas over the next ten years? From the outset, we understood that reaching the ambitious goals would require large-scale collaboration and innovation. Working toward the targets set by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has provided us with deeper insights into what it will take to achieve them in a Canadian context. At the heart of this eff ort is the need for a shared vision for Canada — a uni- fi ed path toward a circular economy for plastics. Th is involves collaboratively set- ting the agenda and aligning on design principles so that we are reducing virgin plastic, eliminating unnecessary and problematic plastics, scaling reuse/refi ll systems, innovating the plastics we do need to be recyclable, and increasing the use of post-consumer recycled content. Th e next phase of our journey — our Roadmap to 2035 — is the product of a major collaborative eff ort from across our Partnership. Th is evolving docu- ment, to be launched in 2025, charts Canada’s path to a circular economy for plastic packaging and outlines the critical role CPP will play in driving this transition. Will we be able to say in the next decade that we’ve eliminated all plastic waste and pollution in Canada? Likely not. What we do know is that we have a clear vision and a committed group of Partners focused on advancing solutions that will keep the right plastics in the economy and all plastics out of people, animals, and nature. We know this because the achieve- ments we have made so far would not have been possible without the Pact’s unprecedented collaborative eff ort to rethink how we use, design, and recover plastics. In other words, we are not just talking about what needs to be done, we are making it happen. We hope you will join us in shaping the future of plastics in Canada. 1. Learn more at goldendesignrules.plasticspact.ca. 2. Read “Pathways to Mono-Material Flexible Plastic Packaging” on the Canada’s Plastic Pact website, plasticspact.ca. 3. Check out “Canada Plastics Pact Announces Accelerators to Scale Reuse and Refi ll Solutions in Ontario” from April 24, 2024, on the Canada’s Plastic Pact website, plasticspact.ca. 4. See wrap.ngo/resources/report/plastics-pacts-scaling-impact. By working collaboratively, we can address the complex issues and the tensions that exist while minimizing the unintended consequences so that the work we’re doing is practical and has a lasting positive impact. plasticspact.ca facebook.com/Canadapact x.com/CanadaPact (@CanadaPact) linkedin.com/company/ canada-plastics-pact instagram.com/canadapact (@canadapact) youtube.com/@ canadaplasticspact862 (@canadaplasticspact862) APRIL 2025 • ISSUE 01 63M any people are waking up to the importance of adopting circular economy practices in sustaining our planet for generations to come, yet understanding how to do this is another story. That’s where clear, consistent, and universal standards for the circular economy come in. We spoke with Michael Leering, Director of Environment & Business Excellence at CSA Group, about how this organization has been a pioneer in developing standards that address circularity principles and is champion- ing adoption through continued eff orts in this space. Why are standards important for advancing the circular economy? Circularity principles can be applied across all economic sectors, engaging a wide range of participants — from governments and industry to the general public. For such a complex ecosystem to function eff ectively, it is important to establish clarity, transparency, and effi cient integration of circularity principles. Standards underpin these objectives. By providing clear defi nitions and guidelines, standards create a common language that enables consistency in pro- cesses, requirements, and measurements and supports clarity and comparability of outcomes. Ultimately, standards help build trust among all participants and mobilize them to action. In this context, I am excited about publishing ground-breaking internation- al and Canadian standards supporting the circular economy. Th e International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently released a cornerstone circularity standard, ISO 59004. It defi nes the circular economy, its principles, and how they can be implemented. Th e new National Standard of Canada, CSA R117:24, is focused on a specifi c circular practice, providing defi nitions for plastics recycling. Th ese two standards are important examples of how shared language and terminology can support innovation, scalability, and the adoption of sustainable circular practices. In what area is CSA Group currently involved in developing standards for the circular economy in Canada? CSA Group has been active in devel- oping standards addressing circularity principles for a long time. Our standard CSA S478 for durability in buildings and CSA Z782 for design for disassembly and adaptability in buildings were fi rst published in 1995 and 2006, encouraging the implementation of circular practices long before circularity became part of mainstream conversations. Since then, we have broadened our activities to support the circular econ- omy in areas including management of end-of-life materials, recycling of plastics, recycling of electric vehicle batteries, reuse of packaging, and most recently, circularity in agriculture, reduction of food loss and waste, and recovery of lithium and rare earth elements from waste. We have engaged in signifi cant research on these topics to understand the current landscape and where standards can help remove barriers to the broader adop- tion of circular practices and identify new opportunities. Our research also helps inform the development of standards. Th e new standard CSA R117 for plastics recycling is a good example. Its development was preceded by two comprehensive research projects that explored the circularity and recycling of plastics in Canada and laid the groundwork for defi ning recycling in the context of plastics. What do you consider to be CSA Group’s biggest success in circular standards development in Canada? Can you share any stories of the impact CSA Group’s work has had that have surprised you? I think the most signifi cant success for CSA Group is that through our standards, we helped to lay the foundations for circularity in many areas. Standards truly play a critical role and are an important tool for helping organizations transition to the circular economy. From standardized CSA Group Removing barriers to adoption through universal circular economy standards ● Michael Leering, Director of Environment & Business Excellence at CSA Group. 64 CIRCULAR ECONOMY MAGAZINEterminology to guidance and best practices that support consistent measurement and reporting, standards help translate the concept of the circular economy into practice in a very tangible way across diverse sectors. Our organization has also been collaborating with organizations such as Canada Plastics Pact, Circular Economy Leadership Canada, Circular Innovation Council, and National Zero Waste Council. Working together with a diverse group of participants involved in driving sustainability and circularity in Canada gives us an opportunity to demonstrate how standards can support their respective areas. Given Canada is a resource-rich, export-focused nation, how do you think a circular economy may look diff erent here than in other places such as Europe and Asia? Will those diff erences play a role in how standards are developed here in Canada? Th e circular economy model and its prin- ciples are the same around the world, and the new series of international standards ISO 59000 underscores that. All coun- tries encounter similar challenges as they strive to use less virgin raw materials, reuse and recycle more products, and reduce waste. However, some diff erences may arise as countries examine their current status quo and set strategies and future targets. For example, Canada currently recycles only 9% of plastics, compared to a 65% re- cycling rate in Germany and 59% in South Korea. Clearly, this identifi es plastics recy- cling as a priority in our country. Further, a survey commissioned by CSA Group1 revealed that 92% of Canadian business leaders believe there should be a common defi nition of plastics recycling, demon- strating a real need for a standard such as CSA R117 that provides these defi nitions. With Canada’s net-zero targets and goals for the electrifi cation of transpor- tation and other aspects of our economy, lithium (Li) and rare earth elements (REE) needed for energy battery storage have also become critical for our economy. At CSA Group, we have been looking at how Li and REE can be recovered and recycled from mining, manufacturing, and end-of-life product waste. Our latest research explores the ways standards can help remove barriers to adopting such practices and introduce circular principles without obstructing overall sustainability and supply chain security and resilience. As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on Canadian roads grows, we are also thinking about what will happen with EV batteries once they reach their vehicle end-of-life. Our research on the circularity of lithium-ion batteries outlines the role standards can play in supporting the safe Standards help build trust among all participants and mobilize them to action. ● CSA Group research helps identify circular pathways to reduce food waste and loss in Canada and address climate change. ● New CSA Group plastics recycling defi nitions standard aims to help improve plastics recycling outcomes in Canada. APRIL 2025 • ISSUE 01 651. Read “New CSA Group Standard Outlines Clear National Defi nition for Plastics Recycling, Helping to Pave the Way for a Stronger Plastics Recycling Supply Chain in Canada” from November 26, 2024, on the csagroup.org website. reusing, repurposing, and recycling of these batteries. So, to sum it up, I see the principles of the circular economy being applied in the same manner around the globe, but the focus and priorities may diff er based on the specifi c situation of each country. Can you tell us more about your work on the recently published ISO CE standard and how this might be relevant in the Canadian context? Th e ISO 59000 series of standards repre- sent a vital cornerstone of a framework for implementing and advancing the circular economy. I previously mentioned the stan- dard ISO 59004, which establishes com- mon vocabulary, principles, and guidance for implementing the circular economy. Another standard from the series, ISO 59010, provides guidance for organizations on how to set goals and take action as they transition toward circular business models and value networks. However, I am most excited about the ISO 59020 standard, which outlines measuring and assessing circularity perfor- mance. Th is is a much-needed standard that can be applied at various levels of an economic system to monitor goals and actions, measure resource fl ows, and assess impacts and values, not only economic but also social and environmental, such as job creation. Measuring circularity outcomes is a priority for industry and governments and is an area of focus for CSA Group as well. At the same time, I am proud of CSA Group's role in developing these international standards. We actively administer the Canadian Standards Mirror Committee to the ISO Circular Economy Technical Committee, bringing Canada’s perspective to the international devel- opment table. We are also working on adopting these ISO standards in Canada. As part of this process, we would like to do more research on integrating other models for measuring circularity, such as the framework developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, to introduce a robust measuring process in Canada. What trends or advancements in circular economy standards do you think will most infl uence the future of the circular economy? As circularity principles are implemented across more sectors, I think we will see a lot of new national and regional initiatives around critical minerals, food loss and waste, and the textiles and fashion indus- try, to name a few. However, as I mentioned, measuring the outcomes and impacts of circularity in all these areas will be a critical element that will infl uence the advancement of the cir- cular economy. Being able to demonstrate the results and successes of implementing circular practices through transparent and consistent data can help promote circulari- ty and mobilize broader participation. Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the circular economy in Canada over the next decade, and how does CSA Group envision contributing to this vision? Th e holistic move from the “take-make- waste” model toward reuse, repurposing, and recycling, mitigating the need for vir- gin raw materials and reducing waste fully aligns with CSA Group’s vision of creating a better, safer, and more sustainable world. We will continue to help facilitate the adoption of circularity in Canada through standards development, research, educa- tion, and advocacy — providing common language, frameworks, and guidance to empower businesses, policymakers, con- sumers, and all other involved parties. My hope is that over the next decade, we will see more and more advances and practical examples of circularity in our everyday lives. A reuse pilot program led by the Circular Innovation Council that started in Ottawa in the fall of 2024 provides residents with free reusable food containers that get collected, washed, and redistributed. Major grocery chains are al- ready participating in this pilot, and plans are to expand it to many local restaurants as well. I am optimistic that this and other circular initiatives will become common across Canada. csagroup.org linkedin.com/company/ standards-association ● Circular economy practices in the construction sector include reusing parts of existing buildings and materials. The holistic move from the “take-make- waste” model toward reuse, repurposing, and recycling [...] fully aligns with CSA Group’s vision of creating a better, safer, and more sustainable world. 66 CIRCULAR ECONOMY MAGAZINEPrioritizing Critical Enablers to Accelerate Canada’s Circular Economy By: Paul Shorthouse, Managing Director of Circular Economy Leadership Canada, and Jo-Anne St. Godard, Executive Director of Circular Innovation Council R esources have historically been the backbone of Canada’s economy. Yet, our consumption of materials, energy, and water is currently among the highest in the world, not to mention some of the most wasteful. According to the Council of Canadian Academies’ Expert Panel on the Circular Economy, Canada is only 6% circular, with 73% of these resources lost to disposal, much of which still holds value. The Expert Panel also found that the circular economy makes Canada more economically pros- perous, environmentally sustainable, and socially equitable. However, recalibrating Canada’s economy to deliver on these objectives will require collective and coordinated action across all sectors, govern- ments, communities, and citizens. The need to take a coordinated and systems approach is why Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC) and Circular Innovation Council (CIC) published the fi rst-of-its-kind Circular Economy Action Plan for Canada. As a key output from our Canadian Circular Economy Summit in 2023, it provides a guiding framework for galvanizing Canadian businesses, governments, communities, and other stakeholders toward a shared vision and focused eff orts. The Circular Economy Action Plan for Canada is organized under fi ve critical enablers with specifi c, underlying near-term priorities and strategic actions. The critical enablers include: . Information: Leveraging data, information, education, and training as a foundation for success. . Collaboration: Establishing new partnerships and cultural connections to accelerate change. . Policy and Procurement: Aligning policy, procurement, and standards to drive accelerated circular economy action and investment. . Innovation: Stimulating circular innovation across industries, sectors, and supply chains. . Investment: Directing capital and fi nancing to support circularity and address infrastructure gaps. 68 CIRCULAR ECONOMY MAGAZINEInformation Circular economy is a relatively new term in the Canadian context, so raising awareness about its benefi ts will be key to encouraging its adoption. Information and knowledge-sharing are foundational to ac- celerating implementation, which must be based on defensible, accessible data, proof points, and evidence-based research. Skills training and education will also be essen- tial to ensuring that a circular economy in Canada moves from concept to action. To this end, CELC and CIC have come together to co-host the Canadian Circular Economy Summit, taking it to new host cities with diverse partners to expand its reach, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and highlight the unique circular economy eff orts and activities happening across the country. CELC has also developed case stud- ies showcasing the circular economy's environmental, economic, and social ben- efi ts. It promotes these benefi ts through its Knowledge Series events and on several online platforms. Separately, CELC has been working with CSA Group and other partners on data, indicators, and standard- ized measurement frameworks to support better decision-making in line with the recently published ISO 59020 standard for measuring the circular economy. CIC is undertaking market research within various industry sectors to investi- gate opportunities to restructure markets and introduce policy interventions that support long-term change. Th is research involves innovative pilot projects, data baselining, and supply and value chain reorganization. Additionally, CIC launched an annual public education and awareness cam- paign, Circular Economy Month, which off ers information and resources to help Canadians understand circular economic designs and their capacity to deliver value. It also provides a platform to celebrate circular innovation and leadership across the country. Collaboration Transitioning from current linear indus- tries and supply chains to a more circular economy in Canada will require systems thinking to break down silos and establish new partnerships domestically and interna- tionally while leveraging new approaches and collaborative platforms. Supporting the wide-scale adoption of circular prac- tices will also require engaging across and between industries, cultures, and perspec- tives to embrace an inclusive approach to circularity. CELC recently launched a Circular Construction Innovation Hub as one example of a supportive, collaborative platform. Designed as a social and technical innovation lab, the hub is a ● Peace Tower at the Parliament of Canada in Ottawa. Transitioning from current linear industries and supply chains to a more circular economy in Canada will require systems thinking to break down silos and establish new partnerships domestically and internationally while leveraging new approaches and collaborative platforms. APRIL 2025 • ISSUE 01 69