Plastics Action
Fund
The Plastics Action Fund is administered on behalf of CleanBC and the Government of British Columbia by Alacrity Canada, in partnership with the Synergy Foundation.
Program Overview
The CleanBC Plastics Action Fund supports plastic waste reduction projects in British Columbia to promote a circular economy through recycling, remanufacturing, reuse, and repair initiatives.
Applications Open: October 20th, 2023
Applications Close: December 2nd, 2024
The CleanBC Plastics Action Fund will support new projects that fall under four main funding categories with the following desired scopes and outcomes:
(PCR)
- Increase BC’s processing capacity to produce more plastic products with PCR plastics and packing manufacturers.
- Increase the use of PCR plastic in plastic manufacturing.
- Support PCR plastic product and reuse research, design, and testing, that increase the use of PCR plastic.
(RPI)
- Provide development support and project financing for start-up and early-stage organizations in communities outside of the Capital Regional District (CRD) and Vancouver Metropolitan Area Vancouver (Metro Van), or within communities with a population of less than 25,000.
- Projects funded under RPI will address the same outcomes as other funding streams.
- Eligible organizations must:
- 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)
- Develop the growth and commercialization of reuse businesses, to support the phase out of single-use and plastic items.
- Develop the growth of repair businesses, to extend the life of products and materials and reduce plastic waste.
- Develop tools or products that connect consumers with circular economy businesses or organizations, including reuse and repair businesses that result in the reduction of plastic waste.
(IND)
Category
- Support projects led by individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations which self-identify as First Nations (status and non-status), Métis, and/or Inuit.
- Support plastic waste reduction activities that prevent or eliminate waste through reuse and repair models, and through remanufacturing, value-add processing, and recycling processes.
- Build capacity around the circular economy and plastic waste reduction which are led by Indigenous people, communities, and businesses.
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
All scores will be summed up and averaged to produce an overall score.
Successful applicants will be notified of their grant award, while unsuccessful applicants will receive feedback on their application.
Step 4
Step 5
- 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
Eligible vs. Ineligible Expenses
Eligible Expenses Explained
- 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**
** 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
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.
- 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.
Yes, non-profit organizations are eligible if they meet the existing eligibility criteria.
Only one application per business may be submitted. Please choose the funding stream most applicable to your project.
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.
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.
No, environmental cleanup projects are not eligible.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Projects will be assessed based on their:
- Alignment
- Scale
- Feasibility
- Innovation
- Relative impact
- Regional representation
- Diversity and inclusion
- Economic Potential
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.
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 you’re looking for?
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.
PAF 1: Resulting Impact
PAF 2: Projected Impact
PAF 3: Projected 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.
Applications Open Oct. 20 2023