Government of Canada invests in solutions to recycle fibreglass
News release
September 9, 2019 Kingston, Ontario Transport Canada
The Government of Canada is dedicated to protecting Canada’s land and waterways from plastic waste and marine litter. We know that Canadians value their natural environment, and we have a responsibility to prevent plastic pollution now and into the future.
There are few options for recycling and disposing boats made of fibreglass. As a result, most of these boats end up in a landfill, or worse, abandoned on land or in the water. To address this issue, Transport Canada issued a challenge to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses to develop innovative solutions for recycling or reusing fibreglass in an energy-efficient way which recovers as much material as possible.
Today, Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced that Jeosal Materials Research Corporation received $118,625 under the Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenge to develop a possible solution for recycling fibreglass. The end result could turn transformed materials into sporting goods, electronics and automotive applications.
Transport Canada is responsible for the safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system in Canada. The funding announced today supports the department’s commitment to advancing vessel recycling and environmentally responsible vessel design.
Quotes
“Our natural environment is precious for Canadians. We know that we have a responsibility to prevent plastic pollution now and in the future. The funding the Government of Canada is providing Jeosal Materials Research Corporation will support innovation and research here in Kingston and lead to solutions that will benefit the rest of Canada.”
Mark Gerretsen
Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands
“Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to the environment. Our Government is taking action to identify and develop suitable methods for recycling fibreglass which usually ends up in landfill, or worse, abandoned in the water. By supporting innovative research and developing environmentally responsible recycling options, we are taking concrete steps to protect our planet now, and for future generations.”
Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
Quick facts
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Plastic pollution is a growing problem in Canada and around the world. Canada has committed to global leadership in government operations that are low-carbon, resilient and green.
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The Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenge is a $12.85-million initiative supporting research projects that aim to address plastic pollution through new and innovative technologies. This initiative is funded by federal departments and agencies, through the Innovative Solutions Canada program, and invites Canadian small and medium-sized businesses to develop innovative solutions in response to specific challenges related to plastic waste.
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Transport Canada is one of the 20 participating federal departments and agencies that will issue challenges through the Innovative Solutions Canada program. These challenges are designed to seek novel solutions and not commercially available products or services. Together, the funding from federal departments and agencies represents a $100-million investment for each of the next three years, to fund innovative challenges focused on various issues across all sectors including pollution from plastics.
Associated links
Contacts
Delphine Denis
Media Relations Manager
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
Delphine.Denis@tc.gc.ca
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
media@tc.gc.ca
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