Canada launches COVID-19-related challenges to help reduce environmental impact of PPE in Canada
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, has launched two challenges through the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program to make personal protective equipment (PPE) more compostable and recyclable:
Recycling technologies for disposable (single-use) PPE used in health care sector
National Research Council Canada (NRC), in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Health Canada (HC), is seeking solutions for the efficient and cost-effective recycling of disposable PPE waste generated in the Canadian health care system.
Compostable disposable surgical masks and compostable disposable respirators used in the Canadian health care system
NRC, in collaboration with ECCC, HC and Natural Resources Canada, is seeking solutions for the manufacturing of compostable disposable surgical masks and compostable disposable respirators to be used by health care workers.
Through the ISC Challenge Stream, the Government of Canada invites small and medium-sized Canadian enterprises to propose innovations that address the requirements of published challenges. Under these two challenges, successful applicants could receive up to $300,000 to develop a proof of feasibility. If accepted into Phase 2, companies could receive up to $1 million to develop a working prototype.
