StatsCan Releases a New Environmental-Economic Account That Estimates the Flow of Plastic Through the Canadian Economy

Created to support the Federal Government’s Zero Plastic Waste agenda, the pilot physical flow account for plastic material is a new environmental-economic account that estimates the flow of plastic through the Canadian economy.

Looking at the years 2012-2018, the flow begins with production, continues through use, and then examines the various fates of plastic. Initially, plastic in items discarded in Canada either enters a waste management system or is leaked directly to the environment. To be successfully recycled after entering a waste management system, plastic must first be diverted for material recovery, then sorted and baled, and then finally recycled into pellets or flakes ready to be made into new products. All plastic that is not successfully recycled or exported is disposed of, either in landfills or with incineration or gasification.

Key findings from the pilot account

• Canadian consumption of plastic is growing faster than disposal with a large majority still being permanently disposed of in landfills.
• Portion of discarded plastic being diverted for material recovery has increased, but still significantly more than amount recycled, and differs between product categories.
• Majority of recycled plastic comes from packaging, reflected in its distribution among resin types.
• The magnitude of provincial and territorial plastic flows largely reflects population, although there are no definitive regional trends.

Learn more about the findings from Statistic Canada’s pilot account.