The province of Québec in Canada has implemented a new recycling system that shifts the financial and operational burden of recycling from municipalities to the producers of packaging and paper products, Global News has reported, citing the Canadian Press.

The new initiative, known in the sector as extended producer responsibility (EPR), is being managed by Éco Entreprises Québec, a single organisation appointed to oversee recycling efforts across the region.

Under the new system, residents are encouraged to recycle a broader range of materials, including many types of containers, packaging, and printed materials that were not previously accepted.

The objective is to increase the number of recyclable materials collected and to foster new markets for items that are currently nonrecyclable.

EPR is designed to motivate producers to improve recycling rates by making them responsible for the end-of-life management of their products.

However, some items remain nonrecyclable under the new system, including aerosol cans, Styrofoam packaging, and plastics classed as biodegradable.

Last month, US-based startup Magnomer joined the Canada Plastics Pact as a partner to advance a circular economy for plastics.

Magnomer offers patented technology for functional coatings that transform certain packaging components into designs better suited for recycling.

The company's Magmark SS coatings improve packaging recyclability by adding magnetisation and optical detectability to shrink sleeves, simplifying sorting and separation during recycling.

These coatings are transparent, food-safe, and can be printed on labels without affecting brand identity.