The Government of Canada, is investing into a variety of options to recycle and dispose boats made of fibreglass, aiming to protect Canada’s land and waterways from plastic waste and marine litter.
The majority of the boats end up in a landfill or abandoned on land or in the water. Therefore, Transport Canada proposed to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses to lead innovative solutions for recycling or reusing fibreglass in an energy-efficient way which recovers as much material as possible.
On September 9, 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 come up with a possible solution for recycling fibreglass. The recycled fiberglass could be transformed into sporting goods, electronics and automotive applications.
According to Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
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.
In the beginning of summer, the Government of Canada announced the reduction of Canada’s plastic waste, supporting innovation, and promoting the use of affordable and safe alternatives.
In light of the striking environmental pollution, the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, called the shipping industry for solutions concerning oceans’ pollution, as he quoted that the plastic waste that exists in the oceans, will surpass the number of fish that live in them, addressing the emergency state the oceans are in.
