Phoenix Plastics
Piloting post-consumer plastics processing in a small island community
At Phoenix Plastics, we are dedicated to transforming the way plastics are processed and reused. With our innovative approach using locally sourced plastics as a resource material, we can divert recyclables from landfill and cut back on transport emissions.
Though recycling collection services are available in our home community through the Recycle BC program, Phoenix Plastics is designed to target hard plastics that fall outside of this service. Instead, post-consumer plastics will be processed and manufactured into new products right here on Galiano Island, where they will be sold to our local community.
Now that the cool weather has settled in, we are really looking forward to the finishing off of the new processing and cleaning building. As washing of plastics is a large part of the hours going into processing, having hot water and a better space to dry stuff will be essential for the winter months.…
Phoenix Plastics is happy to introduce our first product: the Galiano Key Chain. Composed of 100% post-consumer #2 HDPE recycled plastic, it is finished with solid brass and zero-waste leather components. The Galiano Key Chain is truly deserving of its name. Not only is the plastic processed and recycled here on-site at Phoenix Plastics and…
One of our main inspirations behind Phoenix Plastics product design is to make items that will be useful within our community. We see this as a way of reducing transport emissions two fold: first by lessening the flow of recyclable material off-island, second by making product that will be used in our local community and…
The Phoenix Plastics program is currently accepting:
These being the most common plastics for containers of all sorts.
They are especially common in food containers, caps, commercially sized ice cream or food buckets, etc., and might also be found in non-packaging products such as lawn furniture, totes, and plastic toys.
Though less commonly found, we are also accepting PS (#6, Polystyrene).
Plastics must be clean and cannot be UV-damaged as this will degrade the integrity of the plastics and ultimately of the end product.
If an item is not stamped with a recycling number or composition type, bring it down to the Galiano Island recycling depot. Staff there can test the item with a plastics ID scanner to determine the composition.
Note that residential packaging plastics accepted at the Galiano recycling centre through the Recycle BC program are not accepted for use by Phoenix Plastics.
Commercially generated plastic food packaging is ideal material for the Phoenix program.
Non-packaging materials are accepted from both sectors.
Phoenix Plastics, based on Galiano Island, BC, Canada, is a pilot project to develop and test hyperlocal post-consumer plastic recycling practices.
This innovative and experimental program receives hard plastics from residents and small businesses at no charge as a way of encouraging its integration in the community.
By helping locals save on costs and transport emissions, it allows them to learn about the circular economy while participating in landfill diversion.
With these locally recycled plastics, Phoenix Plastics aspires to create new product that is of value to our community.
We aim to not only reduce the volume of material being transported ‘away’, but also to lessen the amount of new product shipped here.
In support of our vision for Phoenix Plastics to be a pilot program, we are pleased to share this guidebook developed by our team with the hope that similar projects may sprout and flourish in other remote communities.
Questions about Phoenix Plastics can be directed to David at:
phoenix.girr@gmail.com
Phoenix Plastics gives thanks to Vancity Community Foundation and the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund. With the generous support of these two organizations, we have acquired equipment, built space, improved infrastructure, and put in the hours needed to develop systems for recycling post-consumer plastics in our remote community setting.
