Deadline: 12 May 2020
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is seeking the development of innovative alternative reusable or recyclable products and/or product systems that can replace one or more “challenging” plastic packaging product(s) that contribute to plastic waste and pollution.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is committed to protecting the environment while supporting businesses and Canadians to transition towards a zero plastic waste future. This challenge is highly relevant to ECCC’s mandate and the federal government’s commitment to move Canada towards a zero plastic waste economy.
This challenge will support domestic action and innovation on the issue of single-use plastics. Target user(s) of the solution include(s):
- Consumers
- Businesses (product manufacturers, distribution centres, wholesalers, retailers, and food services)
- Provincial, territorial, and municipal governments
- Federal government departments
Outcomes
The proposed solution must:
- Present an innovative product and/or technology that enables the replacement of plastic packaging that contribute to plastic waste and pollution in Canada with a reusable or readily recyclable alternative, as defined below. For example, solutions could eliminate plastic packaging for durable goods including but not limited to molded polystyrene, mixed material packaging, polyurethane foam, bubble wrap, etc.
- Eligible reuse solutions must enable the replacement of challenging plastics packaging with a reusable alternative. Proposals must clearly detail the business context in which the reuse system would operate. Research by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation concludes that reusable packaging alone is a $10B USD innovation opportunity that can deliver significant user and business benefits. While reuse systems require changes in both business models and consumer behaviour, they can also reduce costs and environmental impacts while delivering a superior user experience.
- Eligible recyclable solutions must enable the replacement of challenging plastics packaging with an alternative that is readily recyclable in most geographic regions in Canada. For the purposes of this challenge, “readily recyclable” is defined as a product for which it is reasonable to assume that at least 60% of the Canadian population would have access to a collection system that would accept the item. Solutions must clearly detail how the solution meets this definition and its compatibility with existing recycling infrastructure in Canada.
- Be informed by science, be evidence-based and consider environmental, social, and economic impacts.
- Describe the proposed product and/or technology and how it compares with existing single-use plastics packaging products, explain its applicability in different contexts, and describe the potential benefits and drawbacks throughout the entire life-cycle (i.e. from input, production, use, and waste).
Funding Information
- Funding of up to $150,000.00 CAD for up to 4 months could be available for any Phase 1 grant resulting from this Challenge.
- Estimated number of Phase 1 grants to be awarded: 2
- Funding of up to $1,000,000.00 CAD for up to 12 months could be available for any Phase 2 grant resulting from this Challenge. Only eligible businesses that received Phase 1 funding could be considered for Phase 2.
- Estimated number of Phase 2 grants to be awarded: 1
- This disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to award any grant for the total approximate funding. Final decisions on the number of Phase 1 and Phase 2 awards will be made by Canada on the basis of factors such as evaluation results, departmental priorities and availability of funds.
Eligibility Criteria
Solution proposals can only be submitted by a small business that meets all of the following criteria:
- for profit
- incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially)
- 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
- research and development activities that take place in Canada
- 50% or more of its annual wages, salaries and fees are currently paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in Canada
- 50% or more of its FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of work
- 50% or more of its senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residence
For more information, visit https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/101.nsf/eng/00087.html