Federal investment of $8.2 million to help three food packaging companies scale-up, reduce plastic waste and create over 120 jobs
Ontario manufacturers are leading the charge in the growing market for green products. The work they are doing to remove plastic waste is directly in line with Canadian's priorities for a cleaner, healthier environment. The investments our government is making to support these small- and medium-sized businesses will help them develop innovative ways to produce sustainable packaging and move Canada towards a zero plastic waste future.
Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, visited A Friendlier Company Inc. in Guelph where they announced an investment of over $8.2 million for three innovative food packaging companies to develop and scale green, Canadian-made packaging solutions and products, and create over 120 jobs across southern Ontario.
A Friendlier Company Inc. (Friendlier) is a women-led sustainable food packaging solution provider that operates across southern Ontario. Since its launch, Friendlier has reused over 400,000 food containers, diverting 23 tons of waste and reducing over 67 tons of carbon emissions. With this $500,000-Government of Canada investment, Friendlier will standardize its reusable takeout packaging system through a network of businesses across Canada. As a result, the company will accelerate its growth and support a circular economy, by cleaning and reusing the same high-quality packaging up to 100 times. It will also create 10 jobs.
Unified Flex Packaging Technologies (UFPT) designs, manufactures and assembles custom packaging machines primarily for the food and beverage sector. With a $4-million Government of Canada investment, the company will enhance production capacity at its new Woodstock facility, to increase manufacturing of its recyclable films used for food packaging and pouches. As a result, the company will contribute to saving over 87,000 lbs. of plastic waste and decrease nearly 470 tons of GHG emissions per year, as well as improve product efficiencies and create over 60 jobs.
Omnia Packaging is a one-stop provider for sustainable and innovative food packaging in Canada. This over $3.7- million Government of Canada investment will help the Guelph-based company purchase new equipment to produce unique, Canadian-made, 100 percent compostable and recyclable paper trays and 100 percent recyclable plastic trays for the food packaging industry. As a result, this investment will support leading companies reduce plastic waste and create 50 jobs.
The work these companies are doing will go a long way towards reducing plastic waste and building a strong, economy for Ontario and all of Canada.
