For the first time in Canada, five producer responsibility organizations – Circular Materials, Éco Entreprises Québec, Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba, SK Recycles and Recycle BC – are collaborating to develop ecodesign guidelines to support greater recyclability of packaging and paper products. This initiative marks a major step towards a harmonized national framework that will provide clear guidance to thousands of producers who market their goods in more than one province or territory across Canada.
With extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging and paper being rolled out in several provinces and territories, ecodesign is a key tool to improve the performance and cost efficiency of recycling systems. By better matching product packaging with current and developing sorting and recycling infrastructure, ecodesign can support increasing overall material recovery rates, meet EPR regulation requirements and enable a circular economy across Canada.
These new nationally harmonized guidelines will build on the packaging ecodesign and recyclability guidelines developed originally by Éco Entreprises Québec and will be structured around three main ecodesign strategies, including:
- Reduction: optimize the “right” amount, weight and volume of product packaging that is essential and sufficient for the product’s function and use by consumers.
- Procurement: encourage producers to choose environmentally responsible suppliers and work jointly with them on a more transparent and traceable supply chain that prioritizes the use of recycled, renewable and certified materials.
- Recyclability: encourage producers to design products to maximize the compatibility of packaging and paper products with existing and developing sorting and recycling infrastructure.
Highlights:
- October 2024: Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) launches its first packaging ecodesign and recyclability guidelines, which are then updated in July 2025.
- October 2025: ÉEQ’s ecodesign and recyclability guidelines are endorsed by four other producer responsibility organizations in Canada (Circular Materials, Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba, SK Recycles and Recycle BC).
- By the end of 2026: New nationally harmonized ecodesign and recyclability guidelines will help simplify guidance for producers and improve the performance of recycling systems for packaging and paper across Canada.
“For more than 15 years, Éco Entreprises Québec has been recognized as a leader in ecodesign in Canada. By incorporating ecodesign into our extended producer responsibility mandate, we are ensuring consistency and accountability, which are key to changing practices. The national adoption of our guidelines confirms the relevance of our approach, as well as our commitment to building a system that is more efficient, sustainable, and aligned with the realities of the industry", says Maryse Vermette, President and CEO, Éco Entreprises Québec.
