Who We Are

The Alberta Plastics Recycling Association (APRA) is an Alberta not-for-profit industry association, dedicated to sustainable plastics recycling and to minimizing plastic waste to landfill. APRA facilitates the development of sustainable programs to effectively manage plastics waste and acts as a resource to individuals, groups and companies.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

APRA believes that plastics offer many advantages to society, because plastics offer excellent performance properties and use less energy to manufacture, transportation and recycling.  Waste plastics still contain most of the energy content from the natural gas or oil from which it was made, and this energy can be recovered in suitable energy recovery units.  Plastics stays inert in landfill, avoiding toxic degradation products.

APRA believes plastic waste to landfill can be substantially reduced, through an integrated approach to waste management, which includes source reduction, reuse, recycling, energy recovery and retention in landfill.  To minimize overall environmental and economic impact, the best waste management approach must be chosen for each part of the solid-waste stream, using the tools of life-cycle analysis.

APRA believes industry must continue to demonstrate to government and to the public that it is taking responsibility, and a leadership role, in providing stewardship solutions to plastic waste management problems.  product stewardship by brand owners makes important contributions to waste reduction, through product design, source reduction, and design for re-use or recycling and the use of recycle content where possible.  The best solutions are found with participation of all members of the supply chain, including plastic producers, brand owners, retailers, consumers and the waste management function.

APRA believes that important business opportunities exist in resolving plastic waste issues, through plastics recycling and integrated solid-waste projects, including energy recovery.

Print this informationWhat We Do

  • APRA, through pro-active initiatives, demonstrates to government and the public, that industry is taking responsibility for finding solutions to plastics waste management issues in Alberta.

  • APRA facilitates members and industry stakeholders to find industry driven solutions that reduce plastic waste to landfill, utilizing existing infrastructures where possible.  It does this through cooperation between industry with all levels of government, particularly Alberta Action on Waste.

  • APRA spearheads contact and liaison with government and communicates the work of APRA, EPIC, and the plastics industry on waste issues to the public, media and interest groups.

  • APRA works cooperatively with industry, environmental interest groups and government in achieving common objectives.

  • APRA provides information to interested parties and the general public.