In 2025, Robust Recycling made significant strides in addressing one of the most complex challenges in sustainable waste management: recycling plastics from healthcare settings. Historically, recycling healthcare plastics has been hindered by concerns over contamination — a key barrier that often resulted in recyclable materials being diverted to landfill due to perceived safety and quality risks.

Innovating Beyond Contamination: A Breakthrough Methodolegy

To overcome this barrier, Robust Recycling developed and implemented its proprietary Zero Contamination Risk Methodology as part of the Medical Supply Flexible Packaging Recycling (MSFPR) pilot project. This methodology — grounded in robust source segregation and specialized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) — ensures that plastics collected from healthcare facilities can be safely and effectively processed for recycling. By addressing contamination concerns directly, the initiative has demonstrated that healthcare plastics can be reliably diverted into recycling streams and given new life in circular supply chains.

Supported Provincially — Turning Innovation into Action

This year’s progress was made possible through leadership and investment from the Province of British Columbia. Supported by funding from the Province and Alacrity Canada through the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks, the MSFPR pilot has already helped transform how healthcare plastics are managed across facilities in B.C., enabling new recycling pathways and diverting materials from landfill.

As Honourable Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment & Parks, noted, “We are seeing innovation turning into action in British Columbia.” This reflects the growing momentum behind efforts to reduce plastic waste and support circular economy initiatives across the province — and Robust Recycling is proud to be part of this movement, which is still in its early stages.

Celebrating Success and Shared Commitment

In recognition of these advancements, Robust Recycling arranged a project success celebration with Honourable Rick Glumac, Minister of State for AI and New Technologies, MLA for Port Moody-Burquitlam, and leaders from local healthcare organizations and pharmacy partners.

Honourable Rick Glumac, Minister of State for AI and New Technologies, Robust Recycling Team and Local Healthcare Leaders, November 2025, Port Moody

This event showcased how collaboration among government partners, healthcare stakeholders, and industry innovators turns ideas into action and generates tangible environmental outcomes.

Strengthened Partnerships With Local Healthcare Leaders

Our engagements this year included meaningful collaboration with several local healthcare leader pharmacies that helped shape the pilot’s operational design.

Their willingness to adopt new segregation practices and support data collection contributed directly to the pilot’s success, demonstrating the feasibility of scaling healthcare plastics recycling to more facilities across Canada.

Guided by National Collaboration and Advisory Support

Robust Recycling’s progress in 2025 was also shaped by the guidance and support of national organizations committed to advancing the circular economy. We are proud members of these groups and grateful for the advisory insights they have provided along the way:

Circular Innovation Council (CIC): A national not-for-profit advancing circular economy solutions and fostering collaboration across industries and sectors, connecting stakeholders to policy, knowledge, and pilot program support.
Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA): A member-based organization dedicated to promoting and advocating for circular economy practices in Alberta, including waste reduction, education, and sector connectivity.
Coast Waste Management Association (CWMA): A regional forum strengthening waste management knowledge and professional networks in British Columbia, helping drive innovation and leadership across the sector.
Alberta Plastics Recycling Association (APRA): An association representing diverse stakeholders in plastics management and recovery, supporting advocacy, collaboration, and project execution that advances plastics circularity.
Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care (CCGHC): Canada’s premier network advancing environmental sustainability in the health sector by sharing best practices, resources, and tools to reduce waste and improve environmental performance across hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations.

Their collective expertise, networking platforms, and policy insights have enhanced our understanding of sector trends and helped connect our work to broader national and provincial initiatives.

Looking Ahead: Policy Collaboration for Broader Adoption

While the MSFPR pilot and Zero Contamination Risk Methodology have demonstrated feasibility and impact, broader adoption across Canada will require supportive policy frameworks and financial backing. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) and related recycling policies in Canada are largely driven by provincial ministries of environment and shaped with guidance from federal initiatives to reduce plastics waste and promote circular economy outcomes. Coordination between Environment and Climate Change Canada, provincial/territorial ministries of environment, and the Ministry of Health is essential to develop approaches that address both environmental goals and healthcare system needs. Strong inter-ministerial collaboration will be key to scaling these methodologies, ensuring they are sustainable, appropriately funded, and implemented widely in healthcare facilities of all sizes.

References

• Government of British Columbia – Funding supports new projects to promote recycling and prevent plastic waste (BC CleanBC Plastics Action Fund) BC Gov News
• Circular Innovation Council – Circular Innovation Lab
• Recycling Council of Alberta – https://recycle.ab.ca/about/who-we-are/
• Coast Waste Management Association (CWMA) – CWMA
• Alberta Plastics Recycling Association (APRA) – Alberta Plastics Recycling Association
• Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care – greenhealthcare.ca

Written by:

Rose Alipour, MSc, CFMP

Director, Circular Economy Department

Robust Recycling Ltd.

How Robust Recycling Advanced Healthcare Plastics Recycling in Canada in 2025: Successes, Partnerships, and Progress Toward Circularity

Robust Recycling to Launch Government-Funded Pilot for Recycling Healthcare Flexible Plastic Packaging in British Columbia – Summer 2025