The CleanBC Plastics Action Fund
The CleanBC Plastics Action Fund will support new projects that fall under four main funding categories, with the following desired scopes and outcomes:
(PCR)
Recycled Plastics
(IND)
Category
(RPI)
Innovation Category
- employ no more than 10 full-time employees
- Have generated no more than $100,000 in gross revenue in the previous fiscal year.
- located in communities outside of the Metro Van and the CRD or within communities with a population of less than 25,000.
(CEI)
Innovation Category
How Does It Work?
Step1
- PCR Plastics
- Circular Economy Innovation
- Indigenous Projects
- Rural Plastic Innovation
If you are approved for an application…
Step 2
This proposal requires detailed information about the project and the organization.
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Grant Funds Disbursed
Once the applicant has submitted all required documentation and received approval from the Government of B.C., funding is dispersed.
- 60% of total awarded grant funds disbursed as soon as possible
- 30% of total awarded grant funds disbursed after submission of mid-project update report
- 10% of of total awarded grant funds disbursed after submission of final project report
- Capital expenditures related to the project
- Salary costs for project-specific labour
- Retrofit costs to enable the project
- Contractor or partner organization fees
- Installation costs
- Freight or transportation charges
- PPE
- Marketing & media-related expenses*
- Education, outreach, and capacity building activities**
* Marketing and media related expenses are only eligible for the Circular Economy Innovation and Indigenous Projects categories.
** Education, outreach, and capacity building expenses are only eligible for the Indigenous Projects category.
- Operating expenses (selling, general and administrative expenses)
- Salary costs for general staff
- Marketing and other media expenses
- General website or IT upgrades
- Hosting an existing website
- Credit card processing fees
- Packaging materials for product
- Shipping and related shipping costs
- Real estate capital purchases
- Purchase or lease of private/personal vehicles
- Labour costs associated with ongoing operations
- Travel and hospitality for staff or contractors
- Structural renovations not specific to the project
Frequently Asked Questions
Select A Topic Below
- Capital expenditures related to the project
- Salary costs for project-specific labour
- Retrofit costs to enable the project
- Contractor or partner organization fees
- Installation costs
- Freight or transportation charges
- PPE
- Operating expenses (selling, general and administrative expenses)
- Salary costs for general staff
- Marketing and other media expenses
- General website or IT upgrades
- Hosting an existing website
- Credit card processing fees
- Packaging materials for product shipping and related shipping costs
- Real estate capital purchases
- Purchase or lease of private/personal vehicles
- Labour costs associated with ongoing operations
- Travel and hospitality for staff or contractors
- Structural renovations not specific to the project
Yes, you are eligible to apply again, given that you are applying for a project exclusive from the one previously funded. However, priority will be given to projects which have not received previous funding.
Capacity-building and educational projects will be considered for the Indigenous funding stream only.
Are non-profits eligible for this program?
Yes, non-profit organizations are eligible if they meet the existing eligibility criteria.
Are biodegradable plastics covered under the fund?
No, projects cannot include containers or primary materials made from problematic plastics, which includes polystyrene foam (PS/EPS), PVC, PDVC, carbon black, compostable plastic, biodegradable plastic, and all oxo-degradable plastics.
Can finished PCR products be sold outside of B.C.?
No. Only plastics which are SPI Recycling numbers 1 – 7 are eligible.
Eligible plastic types include; Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam), Bisphenol A and others.
Are environmental cleanup projects eligible?
No, environmental cleanup projects are not eligible.
The online EOI will close once all funds have been subscribed.
Successful applicants from Phase 1 of the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund can be found here: (link to B.C Plastic Impact Page.
Plastic materials for PCR processing cannot be sourced from outside of the Province of B.C. Equipment necessary to implement your project can be sourced outside of the Province.
February 28th, 2026
Successful applicants will be required to provide a report every 3 months (90 days) after the transfer of initial payment until the project conclusion.
There is no specific TRL which projects must be at. Projects, regardless of their TRL, will be judged based on their potential impact, alignment, and scalability.
What is the application assessment process?
All applications will undergo an administrative review to ensure the project meets eligibility requirements and a technical review to ensure it meets the objectives of program funding. After the initial assessment, selected applicants will be asked to provide additional materials and supporting documents.
What is the selection criteria?
Projects will be assessed based on their:
- Alignment
- Scale
- Feasibility
- Innovation
- Relative impact
What others factors are taken into consideration?
- Regional representation
- Diversity and inclusion
- Economic Potential
Can an organization submit more than one application? Or, if one application is not acceptable, can it submit for another idea?
No, organizations may only submit one application per phase of the fund.
Applications will be assessed in the order received and applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application as soon as processing is complete.
- Proof of funding for one third of project cost
- Proof of financial good standing
- Financial statements where applicable
- Project budget breakdown
- Full project plan
No, an application will be submitted for one project. This project may be multi-faceted.
Yes. The grant funds are taxable and should be reported on your corporate tax return.
Only one application per business may be submitted. Please choose the funding stream most applicable to your project.
Every project will have a customized payment plan depending on the size, milestones and project end date.
If I do not have a receipt/invoice for any of my eligible expenses, can I still submit it as an eligible expense?
No. All submitted expenses will require proof of service completed and proof of payment. If you do lose original receipts or invoices, other evidence of the expense, such as bank statements, may be considered.
No. All submitted expenses will require proof of service completed and proof of payment. If you do lose original receipts or invoices, other evidence of the expense, such as bank statements, may be considered.
Can’t find the answer
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CleanBC Plastics Action Fund: Informational Webinar
Plastics Action Fund Program Alumni
Impact
From Past Two Phases:
2021 – 2023
CleanBC Plastics Action Fund will support novel plastic waste reduction projects
across the province promoting the development of a circular economy in B.C.
29
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PAF 1: Resulting Impact
151
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PAF 2: Projected Impact
TBD
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PAF 3: Projected Impact
Learn more about Alacrity’s lifetime impact
Plastics Action Fund – Funded Projects
Apply to the Plastics Action Fund!
If you are an entrepreneur, business, or community looking to promote the transition to a circular economy through recycling, remanufacturing, reuse, and repair initiatives, this funding program is for you.