Leading carton manufacturers form Carton Council of Canada

Canada’s leading gable top and aseptic carton manufacturing companies have come together to establish the Carton Council of Canada. Founding members – Elopak, Evergreen Packaging, SIG Combibloc and Tetra Pak – will endeavour to advance sustainable recycling solutions in Canada by promoting both recycling technology and local collection programs to divert carton packaging from landfills.  

Engaging with key stakeholders and partners seeking high environmental stewardship, the Carton Council of Canada also provides expertise on environmental policy and legislation. While advocating packaging policy developments in Canada, the Carton Council of Canada aims to improve recycling rates and keep carton collection and recycling cost-effective and competitive. 

“The Carton Council of Canada envisions a world in which every carton is recycled,” said Elisabeth Comere, director, environment and government affairs at Tetra Pak. “As concerned carton manufacturers and members of the Carton Council of Canada, we will work to minimize the life-cycle impact of our products and optimize the end-of-life management of used cartons.”

Cartons are made mainly from trees, have a low carbon footprint and are recyclable. The Carton Council says industry research shows that, throughout their life cycle, cartons are one of the greenest packaging solutions on the market. Post-consumer cartons, once collected, provide recycled carton fibre, which is a valuable industry commodity with multiple existing end markets, including tissue and other recycled paper products, as well as industrial and commercial product manufacturing.   

“Though we are proud of the environmental profile of our products and are committed to optimizing the end-of-life management of used cartons, we cannot do it alone,” said Comere. “The Carton Council of Canada will engage brand owners, retailers, and the recycling value chain (municipalities, sorters and recyclers) to support carton recycling. Furthermore, we plan to educate and motivate Canadians to use their recycling facilities and play a role in increasing carton recycling rates.” 

Currently, according to the Carton Council of Canada, nearly 94 percent of Canadians have access to carton recycling, and provincial data shows that 43 percent of cartons nation-wide are recycled.   

Visit www.recyclecartons.ca for more.