Supporting a Circular Economy

In 2021, protecting our planet and its valuable resources remained a key priority for our member companies and Canadians alike. As the first national trade association to endorse the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s vision for a New Plastics Economy in June 2019, we have been at the forefront of efforts to move Canada towards a future of zero plastic waste.

Stemming from this commitment, FHCP is a leader in facilitating industry alignment and influencing government proposals and policies to lead to a circular economy. Our members, accordingly, continue to seek support in developing effective and progressive policies towards environmental sustainability while promoting progress and innovation in business and the recovery of the Canadian economy.

Focused on the journey to a circular economy, FHCP works with governments and partners across the country to develop:

• improved alignment across Canada in environmental policy focused on packaging, including extended producer responsibility (EPR), which transfers financial and operational oversight for the delivery of recycling programs to ensure packaging never enters the environment;
• industry-led collaborative initiatives to ensure progress in eliminating plastic waste through innovations in packaging, packaging materials and system design;
• approaches grounded in the feasibility and efficacy of their measures, and;
• productive and positive engagement of manufacturers, regulators, and advocates across environmental issues.

Building on FHCP’s leadership in these issues, we are working to support the development of other bodies that can drive Canadian and international sustainability efforts that impact our sector. In 2021 we:

• co-founded the Canada Plastics Pact, an organization driving collaboration in rethinking how we design, use, and reuse plastic packaging to realize a circular economy for plastic in Canada;
• supported the development and launch of Circular Materials, a not-for-profit producer responsibility organization created by producers, for producers, that will operate across provinces as new EPR initiatives are introduced;
• pledged the Global Self-Care Federation’s Charter for Environmentally Sustainable Self-Care which aims to mitigate the impact of pharmaceuticals in the environment; and,
• demonstrated commitment to efficient and effective medications waste management through our leadership in the Health Product Stewardship Association (HPSA).