Recyclability & Compliance
Designed for Recycling, With Clear Language
Recycling acceptance and collection methods vary by province, municipality and program. A package described as “designed for recycling” has been developed with material compatibility in mind. It may not be accepted in every local collection system.
The recyclability of a finished package can also be affected by inks, adhesives, barriers, zippers, valves, labels, closures, product residue and other components. Final on-pack recycling claims should be reviewed for the complete package and for the jurisdictions where the product will be sold.
What “designed for recycling” means here
Our main food and pet-food option is a polyethylene-based structure (PE/PE). It is built so the film family is compatible with PE flexible-film recycling streams, instead of a conventional mixed laminate such as PET/AL/PE.
That is a design statement about the material. It is not a promise that every curb, depot or store in Canada will take the empty bag.
How collection works in Canada
Flexible plastic film is not collected the same way as a rigid bottle.
- Many municipal curbside programs still do not accept multi-layer pouches or all flexible films.
- Some retail store drop-off programs take clean, dry polyethylene bags and overwrap. A printed, high-barrier pouch may or may not qualify. Check the program rules for that retailer.
- In British Columbia, Recycle BC sets residential packaging rules. Depot and curbside lists change, and they do not automatically cover every flexible format.
- A zipper, valve, window, ink coverage or paper label can move a bag out of a stream that would otherwise accept plain PE film.
If you sell across provinces, the safe approach is one conservative on-pack line, plus a link to program-specific instructions, rather than a blanket recycling symbol.
Preferred language Use
- Designed for recycling
- Recyclability-focused packaging
- Designed for PE recycling streams
- Predominantly polyethylene-based structure
- Mono-material PE packaging options
- Developed for compatibility with applicable PE flexible-film recycling streams
- Recycle where facilities and programs exist
- Local acceptance may vary
Language we avoid Avoid
- 100% recyclable
- Fully recyclable
- Recyclable everywhere
- Environmentally friendly
- Eco-friendly
- Zero-waste packaging
- Good for the planet
- Sustainable with no environmental impact
We also avoid putting “compostable” and “recyclable” on the same PE pouch. Those are different end-of-life paths. Biodegradable multi-layer options, where we offer them, are discussed separately and are not described as designed for PE recycling.
Before you print the bag
Ask us to review four things together:
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01
Film structure, including barrier and sealant
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02
Zipper, valve, spout, label and window
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03
The exact sentence you want on pack
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04
The provinces, and any retailers, where the product will be sold
We can recommend wording. Your legal and regulatory review still has to sign off before it goes to print. Canadian advertising rules expect environmental claims to be substantiated.
Review your package and on-pack language
Request a packaging assessment or samples to start the evaluation.