Chemical Society of Canada launches Defend Plastics Campaign

On November 16, the Canadian Chemical Industry Association (CIAC) announced the launch of a three-year campaign
to defend plastics.
The campaign will use the power of the media to improve the image of plastic, explain its importance in life, and promote plastic recycling
.

CIAC President and CEO Bob Masterson said plastics are playing an important role
in decarbonizing the economy.
Canada's chemical industry is using hard evidence to show citizens the value of plastic and explain its benefits, while fighting back against negative publicity, addressing unnecessary concerns about plastic waste and encouraging Canadians to look at plastic
differently.
Masterson pointed out that the Defend Plastics Campaign does not mean that CIAC opposes the Canadian government's decision to ban plastic products and label plastics as "toxic", but without better information disclosure and better understanding of plastics in society, Canada's plastic problem will be worse
.

On the issue of plastic waste, Masterson said that Canada's chemical and plastics industries have recognized the link between the circular economy of plastics and climate change, and recycling has helped them meet their emission reduction goals, while industry customers are demanding the use of more recycled materials, and it is imperative to ensure that society treats plastic as a renewable resource, not waste
.
He believes that if the plastic recycling system is fully established, recycling plastics will meet up to 60% of Canada's plastic needs
by 2050.
Currently, only about 9% of plastic waste in Canada is recycled
.