CleanBC Plastics Action Fund
The application window is now closed as of Dec 4, 2024.
4 Funding Categories
The CleanBC Plastics Action Fund will support new projects that fall under four main funding categories, with the following desired scopes and outcomes:
- 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.
- Support projects led by individuals, communities,
businesses, and organizations which self-identify as First Ncaations (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.
- 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.
- 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.
How Does It Work?
Step1
Interest
Step 2
Invited to Apply
This proposal requires detailed information about the project and the organization.
Step 3
Selection Process
Step 4
Discovery Call
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
How Does It Work?
Choose one of the four available funding streams and fill in the form at the bottom of the page:
- PCR Plastics
- Circular Economy Innovation
- Indigenous Projects
- Regional Plastic Innovation
If you are approved for an application…
This proposal requires detailed information about the project and the organization.
Alacrity’s expert panel of reviewers will assess the Detailed Grant Proposals based on predetermined evaluation criteria. 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.
As a final step in the application process, applicants will participate in a discovery call.
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
Eligible vs. Ineligible Expenses
- 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.
- Expenses incurred for activities before the project start date
- Operating expenses, including leases
- Fees and expenses related to tradeshows, conferences, and industry events
- Salary costs for general staff
- 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 all vehicles (includes personal, private, and commercial)
- Labour costs associated with ongoing operations
- Travel and hospitality for staff or contractors
- Structural renovations not specific to the project
- Feasibility studies
- Plastic collection, transportation, or depots
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
- 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 staffÂ
- Marketing and other media expenses
- General website or IT upgrades
- Hosting an existing websiteÂ
- Credit card processing feesÂ
- Packaging materials for product shipping and related shipping costsÂ
- 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
Capacity-building and educational projects will be considered for the Indigenous funding stream only.
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.
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.
Yes, non-profit organizations are eligible if they meet the existing eligibility criteria.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. The grant funds are taxable and should be reported on your corporate tax return.
If I do not have a receipt/invoice for any of my eligible expenses, can I still submit it as an eligible expense?. 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.
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: TBA
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.
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.
Plastics Recycled
Phase 1 - 77.285 Metric Tonnes
Phase 2: Results - 16420.46 Metric Tonnes
Jobs Created
Phase 1 - 29 Full Time Jobs
Phase 2: Results - 220 Full Time Jobs
CleanBC Plastics Action Fund Phase 2 Projects & Impact
Launched in 2015 by high school friends Husein Rahemtulla, Becky Brauer, and Dhruv Sood to provide sustainable meal kit delivery in Vancouver Fresh Prep has since gone on to employ over 300 people and serve both B.C. and Alberta. A certified B Company Fresh Prep prides itself in its “Zero Waste Kits” which can be washed be both washed and reused, or returned.
Fresh Prep aims to reduce single-use plastics by adopting a closed-loop packaging system using advanced technology. The project achieved a commercially viable automation line, resulting in increased use of reusable plastics and a significant reduction in single-use plastics. Fresh Prep’s plan led to a complete transition to reusable packaging, facilitated by acquiring necessary equipment and technology.
Project & Impact
Fresh Prep aims to reduce single-use plastics by adopting a closed-loop packaging system using advanced technology. The project achieved a commercially viable automation line, resulting in increased use of reusable plastics and a significant reduction in single-use plastics. Fresh Prep's plan led to a complete transition to reusable packaging, facilitated by acquiring necessary equipment and technology.
Formed in 2019 by Anastasia Kiko and Jason Hawkins Reusables has created a platform that allows for users to receive unlimited reusable takeout containers for a $5/mo fee, and businesses to save up to 50% on packaging costs. In doing this Reusables aims to combat the large amount of single use plastics used by restaurants for takeout.
Reusables expanded its cleaning capacity and access to reusable packaging across various sectors by expanding their reuse network to 75 locations, including remote and indigenous communities. Funding was used to develop digital and physical infrastructure, including IoT-enabled systems, a centralized cleaning facility, mobile cleaning sites, reusable assets, and staffing.
Project & Impact
Reusables expanded its cleaning capacity and access to reusable packaging across various sectors by expanding their reuse network to 75 locations, including remote and indigenous communities. Funding was used to develop digital and physical infrastructure, including IoT-enabled systems, a centralized cleaning facility, mobile cleaning sites, reusable assets, and staffing.
Inspired to make a difference founders and couple Brady and Angela Rogers set out to create a new way to reuse plastic waste. They started out in their laundry room in 2019 and would go on to open their own online store, selling 3D printed products made from landfill plastics. One and half years later, the Rogerie would open their own physical store.
The funding aimed to develop a large-scale 3D printer using raw plastic pellets, enabling the creation of objects up to 2.5×1.5×1.5m. This innovation up-cycles plastic waste faster, consolidates it for easier recycling, and produces longer-lasting items. These innovations will allow for the Rogiere to sell the first 3D-printed custom bathtub.
Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic by McGill graduate Cody Irwin Sharewares aims to not only help individuals reduce plastic waste, but local businesses as well. Working with local businesses and Tim Hortons and dozens of bins around Metro Vancouver ShareWares provides containers that can returned and refunded by customers, then cleaned and reused.
ShareWares aimed to upgrade its operational washing facility and technical systems to rapidly process up to 100,000 reusable products daily. This upgrade enhanced reusable product availability and collection from various partners and sectors. The project’s outcomes guided the replication of similar facilities to empower communities and facilitate the transition to zero waste.
Project & Impact
ShareWares aimed to upgrade its operational washing facility and technical systems to rapidly process up to 100,000 reusable products daily. This upgrade enhanced reusable product availability and collection from various partners and sectors. The project's outcomes guided the replication of similar facilities to empower communities and facilitate the transition to zero waste.
In 2020 Matthew Nowak founded the cleaning product company Eco Sanitizer with the goal of providing plant based, cruelty free, and eco-friendly cleaning solutions. He would then go on to create Eco Refillery, which launched its first cleaning solution and sanitizer refilling facility in 2022 where customers can bring their own bottle or reuse their Eco Refillery ones.
Eco Refillery opened a second location, offering a refill station for Cleaning and Personal Care products in customers’ containers. A special aspect of the project was partnering with retailer in New Westminster to install their products within the eco-refillery station and store fixtures. This innovative concept addresses retail real estate challenges by showcasing bulk cleaning products and promoting plastic waste reduction.
Driven by the need to reduce plastic waste Advanced Biocarbon 3D CEO Darrel Fry set out to create 3D printing material using renewable resources. Their products range from wood based bioplastic to recycled plastic 3D filament. Some of their partnerships include Warrior Rallysport and Keegan Fry Racing, where they are providing sustainable 3D printed parts.
ABC3D is transforming home construction through sustainability, labor efficiency, and affordability by leveraging 3D printing, AI, and local post-consumer recycled plastic as the primary building material. The completed project aimed to develop the capacity to produce materials for home production.
Project & Impact
In 2013 by Chloe Dubois and James Middleton founded Ocean Legacy Foundation, a non profit organization that seeks to end ocean plastics waste. With multiple initiatives such as the educational platform EPIC Academy, cleanup expeditions, the Ocean Plastic Depot, the Plastic Pollution and Processing Facility, as well as various advocacy programs, OLF is working to combat ocean plastic waste through both direct action and education.
Ocean Legacy’s project aimed to bolster BC’s capacity to recycle marine plastics and waste from industrial, commercial, and institutional (IC&I) sectors. The project included establishing recycling solutions for challenging marine plastics, developing safety protocols, creating a plastic testing laboratory, and expanding material collection at Ocean Plastic Depots.
Founded in 2020 in response to the lack of domestic PPE equipment in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vitacore Industries has become a leader in Canada for providing PPE equipment. Driven by the large amount of waste produced by disposable masks during and after the COVID-19 pandemic Vitacore began an initiative to recycle PPE equipment allowing for to be reused, instead of discarded.
Vitacore Industries initiated a recycling project; establishing a 64,100 square foot facility to process collected plastic waste into recycled polypropylene pellets for various industries. Key milestones included setting up the facility and equipment within 6 months and scaling up operations for commercial use by February 2024.
Project & Impact
Vitacore Industries initiated a recycling project; establishing a 64,100 square foot facility to process collected plastic waste into recycled polypropylene pellets for various industries. Key milestones included setting up the facility and equipment within 6 months and scaling up operations for commercial use by February 2024.
Van Wasteco is recycler and processor of PRC and PIP plastics located in Delta, B.C whose goal is to provide environmentally sound and socially responsible solutions.
Van Wasteco aimed to expand their existing production line to increase annual capacity, allowing them to supply more post-consumer recycled plastics (especially rigid plastics) to manufacturers of plastic products and packaging. Further, Van Wasteco also sought to upgrade their sorting capabilities to produce and sell a wider range of post-consumer recycled plastics of higher quality, suitable for various applications across different industries.
Project & Impact
Van Wasteco aimed to expand their existing production line to increase annual capacity, allowing them to supply more post-consumer recycled plastics (especially rigid plastics) to manufacturers of plastic products and packaging. Further, Van Wasteco also sought to upgrade their sorting capabilities to produce and sell a wider range of post-consumer recycled plastics of higher quality, suitable for various applications across different industries.
Winner of the 2022 Delta Chamber of Commerce “Rising Star Business” Award, Wen Plastics mission is to become a global leader in recovery and recycling. They boast a large plastic recovery facility focussing on HDPE and PP plastics, grinding them into pellets to sell or be made into their own products, or refurbishing them.
WenPlastics’ aimed to boost plastic recovery and expand processing capacity. With funding from the Plastic Action Fund, WenPlastics recently completed an expansion project, including installing a new production line and integrating existing equipment. The project increased production capacity by 150% by deploying new equipment sets, such as a custom-made horizontal shredder system, granulating system, sharpeners, and de-dusting systems.
The foundations of Metaspectral were laid back in 2018 by founders Francis Doumet and Migel Tessera with their first project PixelDrive, a cloud storage that compressed any uploaded photo. It was built upon with Compression.AI which got the team in contact with defence and space industries looking to compress multispectral and hyperspectral data. In 2020 Metaspectral was born and would create the Fusion platform, allowing advanced spectral analysis for anything ranging from satellite images to plastics.
Metaspectral aimed to enhance the recycling of rigid HDPE, such as milk jugs. It developed and introduced Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imaging technology for precise identification and separation of homopolymer from copolymer HDPE. This involves passing plastic items under a SWIR hyperspectral sensor and analyzing images with AI algorithms to classify plastic types based on their spectral signatures.
Plascon is one of the first companies in North America to specialize in injection moulding PCR materials. Since 2006 they have been working to create sustainable solutions for numerous businesses across a wide range of industries, from storage solutions for Arc’teryx to helping optimize concrete for BubbleDeck.
Plascon aimed to introduce and commercially produce the first 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) closure for the distilled spirit market, showcasing Plascon’s ability to overcome challenges associated with PCR material in production processes. Additionally, by providing a consistent market for PCR material sourced from BC-based recycling suppliers, this initiative promotes the circular economy and potential closed-loop collection and reuse of PCR.
Since 1977 KC Recycling has been steadily growing and building upon its 47 years of knowledge of recycling lead batteries and polypropylene extraction in Trail, B.C. In 2022 they partnered with Iowa based battery manufacturer East Penn Manufacturing to recycle spent batteries.
KC Recycling upgraded their current operation to accommodate required growth. Their focus was to double capacity to 3,500 tonnes of recycled polypropylene. Additionally they created capacity to recycle additional battery types, such as forklift, backup power, and locomotive, as well as other polypropylene waste plastic from other recyclers.
Indigenous-Led Community Projects
The CleanBC Plastics Action Fund supported projects to reduce plastic waste in the following communities:
Indigenous-Led Company Projects
The CleanBC Plastics Action Fund also supported projects led by Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations:
Kelowna based Vitatek Cleaning Solutions started out as a e-commerce focussed business providing a wide range of cleaning and sanitation products, for various industries ranging from schools, transportation, food, and cleaning. Recently they began the Brewclean line which provides specialty cleaning supplies for breweries.
Vitatek transitioned from an e-commerce business into a commercial B2B liquid products refillery service in the Thompson-Okanagan region, with the goal to eliminate 100% of plastic waste by refilling reusable containers at customers’ sites. Key components included developing a Liquid Dispensing System, comprehensive staff training by ReThink BioClean, and engaging customers in reducing plastic usage.
Project & Impact
Vitatek transitioned from an e-commerce business into a commercial B2B liquid products refillery service in the Thompson-Okanagan region, with the goal to eliminate 100% of plastic waste by refilling reusable containers at customers' sites. Key components included developing a Liquid Dispensing System, comprehensive staff training by ReThink BioClean, and engaging customers in reducing plastic usage.
Mother Earth Recycling is a small, yet growing recycling initiative in Burnaby, B.C led by Leonard Labouche.
Mother Earth Recycling aimed to address the issue of automobile windshields being sent to landfills. Mother Earth sought to address this by creating a prototype test machine to recycle PVB from windshields. Feasibility testing has shown promising results, demonstrating the potential to divert this material from landfills.
Project & Impact
Mother Earth Recycling aimed to address the issue of automobile windshields being sent to landfills. Mother Earth sought to address this by creating a prototype test machine to recycle PVB from windshields. Feasibility testing has shown promising results, demonstrating the potential to divert this material from landfills.