May 24, 2019 Boisbriand, Quebec Transport Canada
The Government of Canada is dedicated to protecting Canada's land and waterways from plastic waste and marine litter. We know that Canadians value their natural environment, and we have a responsibility to prevent plastic pollution now and into the future.
There are few options for recycling and disposing of boats made of glass fiber-reinforced plastic, commonly referred to as fiberglass. Most of these boats end up in a landfill, or worse, abandoned on land or in the water. To address this issue, Transport Canada issued a challenge to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses to develop innovative solutions for recycling or reusing fiberglass in an energy-efficient way which recovers as much material as possible.
Ms. Linda Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, today announced that KWI Polymers is receiving $150,000 under the Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenge, funded by the Innovative Solutions Canada program, to develop a possible solution for recycling fiberglass. The end result could potentially turn transformed materials into street furniture, railings, sidewalks and decking.
Transport Canada is responsible for the safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system in Canada. The funding announced today complements the department's commitment to advancing vessel recycling and environmentally responsible vessel design.
"Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to the environment. Our Government is taking action to identify and develop suitable methods for recycling fiberglass which usually ends up in landfill, or worse, abandoned in the water. By supporting innovative research and developing environmentally responsible recycling options, we protect the future for our children and grandchildren."
Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
"I am proud that our Government is supporting innovation and research on the recycling and reuse of plastics. Local businesses that receive this funding, like KWI Polymers, will be able to battle the pollution caused by plastics across the country."
Linda Lapointe
Member of Parliament for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles
Quick facts
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Plastic pollution is a growing problem in Canada and around the world. Canada has committed to global leadership in government operations that are low-carbon, resilient and green.
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Transport Canada is one of the 20 participating federal departments and agencies that will issue challenges through the Innovative Solutions Canada program. These challenges are designed to seek novel solutions and not commercially available products or services. Together, the funding from federal departments and agencies represents a $100-million investment for each of the next three years, to fund innovative challenges focused on various issues across all sectors including pollution from plastics.
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The Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenge is a $12.85-million initiative supporting research projects that aim to address plastic pollution through new and innovative technologies. This initiative is funded by federal departments and agencies, through the Innovative Solutions Canada program, and invites Canadian small and medium-sized businesses to develop innovative solutions in response to specific challenges related to plastic waste.
