Recycling packaging effectively is one of the most common challenges business owners today face.
As more Canadian consumers shift toward eco-conscious shopping, the demand for sustainable shipping solutions has skyrocketed. However, even the most well-meaning brands can confuse themselves by the different rules surrounding flexible materials like poly mailers and bubble wrap.
As a company based in Toronto, Ontario, we understand that our clients across Canada (and the US) want to do the right thing for the planet. Whether you are shipping from the Maritimes or British Columbia, understanding the nuances of local waste management is key.
This guide will help you navigate the complexities of flexible plastics and ensure your brand stays green.
The Complexity of Flexible Plastics in Canada
When it’s time for recycling packaging, not all materials are equal.
Rigid plastics ad cardboard are generally easy for municipal systems to process. Flexible plastics, however, pose a different set of hurdles.
Because these materials are thin and stretchy, they often tangle within the sorting machinery at material recovery facilities (MRFs).
In may parts of Ontario ad across the various provinces, “stretchy” plastic is the gold standard for recyclability in the flexible category. If a plastic film can be stretched with your thumb, it is often a candidate for specialised recycling programs, even if your local curbside blue bin doesn’t accept it.
How to Handle Polymailers and Bubble Wrap
To help your customers with recycling packaging properly, it is important to provide clear instructions based on the specific type of material you use.
- Standard Polymailers – most traditional polymailers are Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), marked with a #4 resin code. While some Canadian municipalities accept these in curbside bins, many require residents to take them to dedicated drop-off depots, often located at major grocery retailers.
- Bubble Wrap – similar to polymailers, bubble wrap is usually made of LDPE. To prepare bubble wrap for recycling, users must pop the air bubbles first. This reduces the volume ad prevents the plastic from floating away during the sorting process.
- Bubble Mailers – these are the trickiest to handle! If a mailer is made of paper on the outside and plastic bubbles on the inside, it is considered a composite material. Most Canadian recycling facilities cannot separate these, meaning they usually end up in the landfill.
Why Choosing the Right Material Matters
Selecting the right shipping supplies is the first step in successfully recycling packaging. If you want to make it as easy as possible for your customers to be eco-friendly, you should consider materials that can go straight into the curbside blue bin without a trip to a special depot.
For businesses looking to ditch the plastic-sorting headache, here are the best blue-bin-ready swaps:
- Paper-Padded Mailers – instead of bubble-lined mailers, consider mailers padded with macerated (shredded) paper or “glue dot” technology. These protect fragile items while remaining 100% paper-based, making them perfectly acceptable in curbside paper recycling across Canada.
- Honeycomb Paper Wrap – this is the ultimate alternative to bubble wrap. It expands into a 3D hexagonal structure that cushions products beautifully. Because of its Kraft paper base, your customers can toss it right into their blue bin along with their cardboard boxes.
- Corrugated Cushion Inserts – for heavier items, corrugated paper inserts provide excellent shock absorption. These are simply thicker versions of the cardboard your customers already know how to recycle, ensuring a 100% recovery rate.
Following Local Guidelines when Recycling Packaging
Because you are likely shipping products across the country, your recycling strategy should account for regional differences. Toronto Region guidelines may differ slightly from the programs in Montreal or Calgary.
The best way to support your customers is to encourage them to check their local waste regulations. Providing a QR code directly on your packaging to a general Canadian recycling resource is a fantastic way to show that your brand is committed to sustainability beyond the point of sale.
Navigating the world of sustainable shipping doesn’t have to be a solo journey.
Looking for recyclable polymailers? Or how about custom-printed cardboard boxes? LeKAC is here to support Canadian businesses in making informed choices.
We can help you design packaging that not only looks professional but also aligns with the environmental values of your customers from coast to coast!
