Only nine percent of plastics worldwide are recycled

This shocking statistic highlights the urgency of developing new solutions for plastic sustainability. In the latest episode of Shift by Alberta Innovates, host Jon Hagan speaks with Dr. Muhammad Arshad from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) about how innovation is helping to rewrite the story of plastic.

Plastic Research in Action: NAIT and Heartland Polymers lead the way

Dr. Muhammad Arshad

Dr. Arshad leads NAIT’s Designing for Circularity: Development of polypropylene blends using post-consumer recycled plastic program within their larger Plastic Research in Action initiative.

This project, supported by Alberta Innovates, brings together researchers and industry leaders like Heartland Polymers to explore how post-consumer recycled plastic can be effectively blended with virgin polypropylene to create high-performance, commercially viable materials.

The team is now moving from bench testing to pilot-scale development—signaling major progress in making sustainable plastics ready for market.

The challenges of recycling plastics: degradation, packaging and performance

Dr. Arshad explains the real-world challenges of plastic recycling:

• How polymers degrade after repeated processing cycles
• Why multi-layer packaging is so difficult to recycle
• And why 100 percent recycled plastic often can't meet the performance standards required in industry

 Blending new with the appropriate recycled plastics offers a realistic middle ground and helps to keep plastics in use longer, reduce waste and preserve quality.

From lab to industry: creating scalable plastic recycling solutions

One of the episode’s most exciting takeaways is the transition from lab-scale research to pilot-scale manufacturing, thanks to the partnership with Heartland Polymers. The work happening at NAIT isn’t just theoretical—it’s about building a circular economy that can scale.

Applying circular economy principles across Alberta

Beyond polymer science, Dr. Arshad highlights how NAIT’s circular economy work extends across Alberta’s economy—from industrial manufacturers to the beekeeping industry. These collaborations show how diverse sectors can benefit from designing for reuse, recycling and long-term value.

This episode complements a related conversation: The Circular Economy Unplugged featuring Mehr Nikoo from Alberta Innovates, offering even more insight into Alberta’s approach to sustainability.

How you can support the march toward global plastic sustainability

• Choose reusable products over single-use plastics
• Buy items made from recycled materials
• Follow your local recycling guidelines to reduce contamination and improve efficiency

Resources to learn more about plastic waste and recycling in Canada

• Download: Economic Study of the Canadian Plastic Industry, Markets and Waste (PDF)
• Explore: Zero Plastic Waste posted on the website for the Office of the Auditor General of Canada

Listen to the episode: Beyond the bin: transforming post-consumer plastics with NAIT's Dr. Muhammad Arshad

Shift by Alberta Innovates is your go-to podcast for conversations with the innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs shaping Alberta’s future. Subscribe and listen today on your favorite podcast platform.