Light House and Infina Technologies Partner on Production Run Using Plastics Recovered From Construction Sites

Why It Matters

The project proves that construction‑site plastic waste can be turned into high‑value building components, tackling a $5.9 billion USD waste stream while slashing construction carbon footprints.

Key Takeaways

• First production run uses recycled construction plastics in structural system.
• CPI tracks and diverts plastic waste from eight Vancouver construction sites.
• InfinaNet cuts concrete use up to 30%, lowering embodied carbon.
• Federal PacifiCan funding exceeds $750,000 USD for circular construction accelerator.
• Canadian construction generates over 30% of national plastic waste.

Pulse Analysis

Circular economy concepts have long focused on consumer packaging, yet the construction sector quietly generates a far larger share of plastic waste. In Canada, roughly $5.9 billion USD worth of plastics ends up in landfills each year, a figure projected to rise without systematic recovery. Light House’s Construction Plastics Initiative flips this narrative by treating on‑site plastic debris as a resource, installing segregation protocols and transporting sorted material to recyclers for pellet production. This approach not only diverts waste but also creates a new feedstock for innovative building products.

The partnership with Infina Technologies showcases how recycled pellets can be integrated into advanced structural systems. InfinaNet replaces non‑structural concrete with a lattice of ellipsoid voids, achieving up to a 30% reduction in concrete volume. The lighter slab not only cuts material costs but also lowers embodied carbon, accelerating construction schedules. By supplying the recycled pellets to Plascon Plastics, the pilot demonstrated a closed‑loop supply chain: captured construction plastics become high‑performance components, reinforcing the economic case for circular building practices.

Policy support amplifies the initiative’s impact. Federal programs such as PacifiCan and the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund have contributed over $750,000 USD, signaling government confidence in scaling circular solutions. As Canada pushes housing targets through Build Canada Homes, technologies that reduce material use and waste will be pivotal. If replicated nationwide, the model could reclaim billions of dollars in lost plastic value, shrink the sector’s carbon footprint, and open new markets for sustainable construction materials, positioning Canadian firms at the forefront of green building innovation.