Ontario Construction Report staff writer
Canada’s construction sector produces far more plastic waste than previously recognized, according to a national benchmarking study.
The report, published by environmental services group Light House in partnership with Circular Economy Leadership Canada, analyzed data from 253 LEED-certified projects across seven provinces. It found that plastic waste intensity on construction sites typically ranges from 1.1 to 2.7 kilograms per square metre, with institutional and residential projects generating the highest volumes.
Researchers say roughly 80 per cent of the plastics — mainly clean packaging and film — could be diverted from landfills if tracked and processed properly. Inconsistent reporting and regional recycling infrastructure, however, mean most of these materials are currently discarded.
Green building reporting systems rarely separate plastics by material type, the study notes, making it difficult for suppliers and contractors to develop targeted diversion strategies.
The study’s timing coincides with the federal government’s planned expansion of the Federal Plastics Registry in 2026. The registry will require construction firms to report how much plastic they produce, recycle, and dispose of nationally.
To address gaps, the Construction Plastics Initiative has launched pilot projects in British Columbia to test how separated plastics can be processed into new building materials. Results from those pilots are expected in spring 2026.
The report calls for a national standard for construction waste reporting and improved coordination between suppliers and contractors to create “take-back” programs for packaging. Without these measures, the study warns, the sector may struggle to meet upcoming federal compliance targets.