With more than 12.8 million tons of recyclable plastic packaging materials landfilled every year, cleaning up and ending that waste and litter from entering the Great Lakes watershed is the top priority of a Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) initiative.

In a release Tuesday, CGLR said that waste is effectively throwing out $2.1 billion, or $1.7 billion (U.S.), worth of reusable plastics.

“Plastic is a versatile material that is used widely in our industries and homes as consumers, but it should never become waste in our economy or litter in our environment,” said CGLR president and chief executive officer Mark Fisher in the release.

CGLR’s Circular Great Lakes initiative also prioritizes accelerating the development of plastic packaging recycling supply chains and markets, with a focus on flexible plastics; and achieving a step-change in plastics recycling quantity and quality through policy, consumer behaviour, and investments in infrastructure and advanced technologies.

The binational network — a forum for the exchange and collaboration on the region’s key risks and opportunities — said it worked with corporate stakeholders in the plastics value chain as well as government, academic and other partners to develop the plan.

“Operating in tandem with other zero plastic waste measures, a modern and effective recycling system is a key component of closing the loop and eliminating plastic marine debris,” the release said.

It also said too many Great Lakes households still do not have access to recycling options.

“Additionally, regional recycling rules differ, with policies in many places still favouring a throwaway economy and recycling system infrastructure is aging and lacks investments in advanced materials management practices.”

CGLR said the aim of the initiative is to forge a future without plastic packaging waste and litter in the binational Great Lakes region, the engine of the North American economy and guardian of the largest freshwater system in the world.

“Through the Circular Great Lakes initiative, we are convening business, government, academic and NGO leaders to drive and deliver the systems change needed to close the loop and accelerate the transition to a circular economy for plastics in this critical region of the United States and Canada,” said Fisher.