A solution for carton recycling in Quebec

On October 27, 2010, Groupe RCM, a non-profit recycling company based in Yamachiche (near Trois Rivieres, Quebec) will launch a new processing line that will transform post-consumer shelf-stable and refrigerated cartons and plastic bags into a low-cost plastic resin for use in a wide variety of plastic products including plastic lumber, pallets, guard rail posts, railway ties and flowerpots.

This is the culmination of three-year development and a $3.5 million investment on the part of private and public sector partners. It all began in 2007, when Groupe RCM introduced the thermokinetic process to Tetra Pak during a tour of the Yamachiche, Quebec facility. Tetra Pak had been touring the province and assessing its recycling market with the goal of expanding recycling options for cartons.

Working together, Groupe RCM and Tetra Pak partnered with Centre de recherche industrielle du Quebec (CRIQ) to ensure that the proposed "thermokinetic process" was feasible before introducing Tetra Pak's corporate partners: A. Lassonde Inc. and Natrel to the concept. Once the testing had proven that the solution was sound, A. Lassonde, Natrel and government corporation Recyc-Quebec joined forces with Tetra Pak to provide Groupe RCM with $1 million in seed capital that was required to launch this initiative and see through to completion.

As partners, we are focused on continuously seeking out the best solutions to expand the end-of-life markets for cartons beyond the current recycling activities. This process is waste-free, converting all attachments (caps, straws and films), so there is no residual waste. Groupe RCM's objective is to reach a total yearly processing volume of 12,000 metric tonnes. By collaborating with Groupe RCM we move a step further in our goal to continuously lower the impact of our packaging on the environment.

Here are three ways this new development makes a meaningful contribution:

• Environmentally, it provides a new carton recycling end-market to Quebec.
• Socially, it provides at least 25 new jobs, many of them for disabled workers.
• Economically, it is a partnership that supports local market development that adds new business to the bottom line in Yamachiche, Quebec.

We are proud of our work with Groupe RCM as it represents an important milestone for recycling in Quebec. By working together across the public and private sector, we have demonstrated how the employment of people and technologies can provide better solutions, not just for the lifecycle of cartons, but for all Canadians.

To join Tetra Pak at their celebration click here.

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