Links and Facts About Recycling

Circular Economy and Zero Plastics Waste

A 2019 report by Environment and Climate Change Canada states that only 9% of plastics are being recycled across Canada. Another 4% are going into energy recovery and the remainder end up in landfill. This is a significant lost resource, and causes harm to the environment.

The Circular Economy is about redesigning our systems to minimize waste and create efficiencies in material recycling, recovery and reuse.

The Smart Prosperity Institute has released a report on the Circular Economy for plastics that examines the current system and how changes can be made to work toward a circular economy for plastics.

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Inter Pipeline Ltd. have initiated a $10 million, ten-year research collaboration to advance the reuse and recycling of plastic in Canada and around the world. This Plastics Research in Action (PRIA) initiative funds innovative applied research projects, much of which occurs within our 190,000 square feet Productivity and Innovation Centre (PIC) that is located on the north side of Main Campus.

As home to much of NAIT's applied research, PIC features solutions for business innovation – much of which relates to productivity:

Product testing
Technology adoption
Training and certifications
Productivity and innovation
Applied research
Industry conferences and events

We have numerous flexible workspaces that are adaptable in size and functionality, which gives our industry partners and clients a place to expand ideas and explore solutions. The A-wing of PIC is a 40,000 square foot space that houses wet labs, the analytical core, two microgrid controllers, and an advanced manufacturing core.

The building is designed to LEED Building and Construction certification standards, recognizing sustainability in design and construction. Solar panels installed above the glass canopy in the main foyer will generate 58 kilowatts of electricity per hour and will be used in distributed energy research.

Please join us for a tour during the Alberta Circular Plastics Day 2023 hosted by the Alberta Plastics Recycling Association (APRA) at PIC on March 15, 2023