CSA R117:24

Preface

This is the first edition of CSA R117, Plastics recycling — Definitions, reporting, and measuring. The intent of this Standard is to create a common framework for defining plastic recycling in Canada, and to ensure consistency of approach in calculating a) the amount of plastic waste recycled; and b) plastic recycling rates. Standardizing the aforementioned allows for data on plastic recycling to be compared, ensures a clear understanding of the impact of setting any recycling targets, and improves confidence in the accuracy of any reported statistics on plastic waste management. CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the Standards Council of Canada. This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Circular Plastics and Waste Management, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Organizational Management and Sustainability, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group.

Scope

1.1 General

This Standard will set a common definition of recycling, in the context of plastics, to ensure consistent use, understanding, and measurement of when the waste stream will be deemed recycled, with the following taken into consideration: a) how recycling and recycled plastic should be defined; b) where and how in the recycling process should recycled plastics or new products be measured or attributed via mass balance; c) how a plastic recycling rate should be calculated; and d) what metadata should be reported alongside any published data on plastic recycling or plastic recycling rates. This Standard will not specify the ratio of recycled content in plastic products.

1.2 Inclusions

This Standard applies to all plastics (as defined in Clause 3.1) used in any economic sector. Figure 1 shows some of the main types of plastic. All non-biodegradable plastics are within the scope of this Standard irrespective of their source (i.e., whether they are derived from fossil or biological materials) or composition.

1.3 Exclusions

This Standard does not apply to biodegradable plastics, or to non-plastic petrochemical or bio-based products (e.g., inks, glues, coatings, greases). This Standard should not be used to determine whether a material or product is hazardous waste or a hazardous recyclable material for the purpose of Part 7, Division 8, of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

1.4 Terminology

In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

1.5 Units of measure

The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.