Recyclable paper packaging a key component at the heart of the Circular Economy in action
The Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) is a trade association representing the environmental interests of the Canadian paper packaging industry.
PPEC members consist of companies from Canada’s paper packaging and recycling sectors, representing key components of the paper recycling value chain. PPEC members are not only providers of recyclable paper packaging, but they are also processors of collected paper materials, and act as end markets by buying back used fibres to use in their operations.
PPEC’s mill and packaging converter members operate across Canada and manufacture the three major packaging grades that PPEC represents: containerboard (used to make corrugated boxes), boxboard (used to make boxboard cartons), and kraft paper (used to make paper bags).
Mills produce containerboard and paperboard from raw materials, using recycled content as their primary feedstock, reducing the need for virgin fibres, and transforming recycled paper into new paper packaging products. As end markets, mills also buy back bales of collected recycled paper fibres from business and residential sources to use in their operations. The bales are then pulped at the mill to transform it into linerboard or corrugating medium, to produce what’s collectively called containerboard, boxboard, or kraft paper.
The end result are big rolls or sheets of paper that are then shipped to a converter, who transform the raw packaging for customers needs. Any waste material from the converting process (such as corrugated cuttings or boxboard trim) is collected on-site and sent back to a mill for further recycling.
In addition to mills and converters, PPEC’s membership also represents part of the recycling and waste management sector. In many cases, mills have their own recycling operations that focus on collecting and processing valuable recyclable materials. PPEC also represents companies specializing in waste resource recovery who provide recycling and waste reduction programs and services to communities and businesses.
Recycling is a key issue for PPEC and its members because it is essential to the Canadian paper packaging industry’s long-standing circular economy. Environmental sustainability, waste minimization, and prioritizing the use of recycle content is an inherent part of our industry’s business model, and it’s been that way for decades.
PPEC is proud of our industry’s circular economy approach to managing paper packaging products, which are continually collected and recycled through residential and business recycling programs across Canada, allowing them to be remade into new paper packaging products again and again through the important act of recycling.
PPEC represents the environmental interests of the Canadian paper packaging industry through its advocacy and communication activities and provides thought leadership and analysis of environmental and recycling issues through its well-known blog.
PPEC works to promote the Circular Economy of Canada's paper packaging industry, correct misinformation, provide real facts about paper packaging, and keep members updated on key issues through its members-only monthly newsletter.
On the advocacy front, PPEC represents its members in consultations and discussions with the federal and provincial governments on issues such as recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging and paper, environmental claims, landfill bans, and sustainable forest management.
Because recycling is a key issue for our members - who rely on recycled materials as their primary feedstock- PPEC closely monitors EPR packaging recycling programs in Canada, which are in the midst of significant transition.
Most provinces are either in the process of developing or transitioning to full producer responsibility models - where obligated producers fund and operate recycling program - from existing program models where producers only fund the costs of programs operated by municipalities.
PPEC is watching the transition closely, as we hope it will result in greater harmonization of programs and economies of scale; established end markets so collected materials can be sold and recycled; improved consumer education and participation in properly separating and preparing recyclables; less contamination and a better supply of cleaner materials; higher recycling rates; and more consistent and comparable recycling data.
Article first published in Canadian Packaging, July/August 2024 issue
Rachel Kagan
Executive Director
The Paper & Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC)
