Canadian Association of Recycling Industries

What Canadian Association of Recycling Industries does

The Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI-ACIR) is a national nonprofit industry association founded in 1941 at the request of the Canadian government to source high-quality scrap metal for the WWII war effort. Today it represents over 200 to 261 member companies and branches across all areas of the Canadian recycling sector, ranging from small family-owned scrap yards to enterprise-scale capital-intensive processing plants such as Triple M Metal and AIM Holdings. The association operates from Vancouver, BC with staff coverage including Ottawa-area contacts, and is led by President & CEO Paul Fogolin alongside Director of Communications & Events Kari Veno.

CARI operates a community-led go-to-market model, acquiring members through advocacy, networking events, conventions, and member benefits, while retention is driven by lobbying efforts, cost-saving programs, and group health benefits. Revenue is generated through three primary streams: recurring annual membership fees from recycling companies, one-time convention and event registration fees (ranging from $30 for Next Gen events to $1,400 for member onsite convention registration), and transaction-based exhibitor and sponsorship fees ($1,700 per exhibitor booth with Platinum through Supporting sponsorship tiers). The association does not develop proprietary technology products; instead, it functions as a platform for industry advocacy, networking, and information sharing, supported by marketing through its website, email newsletters, social media, and annual conventions.

CARI's core programs include government advocacy at all levels, the ScrapTheftAlert.com stolen materials alert system operated jointly with US partners, EV Safety Training in partnership with ESA and ReMA, and annual conventions rotating across Canadian cities (2026 Gatineau, 2027 Niagara Falls, 2028 Calgary). The association maintains formal partnerships with the US-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI/ReMA), the international Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), and trade media outlets including Recycling Today, Recycling Product News, and Recycling International.

Name

Canadian Association of Recycling Industries

Legal name

Canadian Association of Recycling Industries

Website

https://cari-acir.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI) is a national nonprofit trade association founded in 1941 that represents over 200 Canadian recycling companies, providing government advocacy, networking events, convention programming, cost-saving programs, and resources such as EV safety training and theft prevention.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association Services

akta.pro primary industry

Used Auto Parts Recovery & Resale (Salvage/Yard Parts, Rebuilders) (EUAIAJAF)

Keywords

• Recycling industry association
• Scrap metal advocacy
• Industry membership services
• Trade association lobbying
• Materials recycling networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: CARI generates revenue through annual membership fees from recycling companies across Canada. Membership provides access to lobbying, advocacy, networking, cost-saving programs, group health benefits, and industry resources.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from convention and event registrations including annual conventions, Next Gen events, and networking activities like Toronto Blue Jays games. Convention registration ranges from $995 early bird to $1,400 onsite for members, with non-member pricing significantly higher.
3. Exhibitor and Sponsorship Fees: Companies pay to exhibit at annual conventions or sponsor events. Exhibitor booth registration is $1,700 CND per booth. Sponsorship tiers include Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Supporting categories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CARI is a national industry trade association that provides advocacy, lobbying, and networking services to over 200 Canadian recycling companies. The association sells annual memberships and hosts annual conventions, Next Gen professional development events, and networking activities (such as Blue Jays games), while also offering cost-saving programs, group health benefits, and industry resources including the ScrapTheftAlert.com theft prevention system and EV safety training certification programs.

Product overview

CARI (Canadian Association of Recycling Industries) is an industry trade association, not a product company. It provides membership services to recycling companies, including lobbying and advocacy, networking opportunities, cost-saving programs, group health benefits, industry resources, events, EV safety training, and materials theft prevention. The association does not offer discrete software products or technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CARI Industry Membership Annual membership providing Canadian recycling companies with government advocacy and lobbying at all levels, networking opportunities, cost-saving programs, group health benefits, access to the member directory, industry resources, and representation through CARI's Board of Directors. Available to recycling companies of all sizes from small family scrap yards to large processing plants.
• CARI Annual Convention Annual multi-day convention for CARI members and non-members featuring keynote speakers, networking sessions, and industry updates. The 85th Annual Convention is scheduled for June 8-10, 2026 at Hilton LAC-LEAMY in Gatineau, Quebec. Registration is tiered with member early bird at $995, member regular at $1,200, member onsite at $1,400, and non-member rates from $1,495 to $2,100.
• Next Gen Events Professional development and networking events targeted at CARI members aged 40 and under. Events include facility tours, networking, and social activities. Next Gen Ontario event registration is $30 for CARI members and $50 for non-members, with lunch included.
• Toronto Blue Jays Networking Event Networking event for CARI members at a Toronto Blue Jays game, scheduled for August 12 vs Boston. Member pricing is $255 early bird (until July 10) or $285 after, with non-member rates of $385 early bird and $430 after. All prices in CAD plus HST.
• Exhibitor Booth at Annual Convention Exhibitor booth package for industry suppliers at CARI's annual convention. Includes an 8'x10' pipe and drape booth with table and chairs at $1,700 CND per booth. Provides direct access to recycling industry decision-makers.
• ScrapTheftAlert.com Industry-based bulletin alert system operated by CARI to fight metal theft, covering Canada and the US. The platform facilitates cooperation between recyclers and law enforcement in tracking stolen material, addressing what CARI describes as the most significant crime affecting the recycling industry.
• EV Safety Training Program EV Safety Technician and Advanced Safety Trainer in-person courses offered through partnership with ESA and the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA). Upon completion, attendees earn IMI Certification for Battery Pack Removal and Handling. Training is offered in Columbus, OH.

Quantifiable outcome

• Global recycling industry employs 1.6 million people and processes over 600 million tonnes annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) / Recycled Materials Association (ReMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARI works closely with ISRI/ReMA on industry initiatives including the Scrap Theft Alert system, EV battery safety training, and cross-border advocacy. ISRI developed safety guidelines adopted by CARI members for COVID-19 and EV battery handling.
• ScrapTheftAlert.comcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARI established an industry-based bulletin alert system to fight metal theft which evolved into www.ScrapTheftAlert.com, covering Canada and the US. This platform facilitates cooperation between recyclers and law enforcement in tracking stolen material.
• Bureau of International Recycling (BIR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational recycling industry body that CARI is connected with. BIR estimates 1.6 million people work directly in global recycling and handles over 600 million tonnes annually.
• ESA & ReMA (Recycled Materials Association)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for EV Safety Technician and Advanced Safety Trainer in-person courses. Upon completion, attendees earn IMI Certification for Battery Pack Removal and Handling. Training offered in Columbus, OH.
• Recycling Product NewsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for CARI events and featured in CARI's newsroom as an industry news resource.
• Recycling TodayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for CARI events and featured in CARI's newsroom as an industry news resource.
• Recycling InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for CARI events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries / Recycled Materials Association (ISRI/ReMA): The dominant US-based scrap recycling industry association and CARI's closest cross-border counterpart. ISRI/ReMA operates the same trade association model (advocacy, conventions, training, ScrapTheftAlert) and is a core strategic partner of CARI on North American initiatives.
• Bureau of International Recycling (BIR): Global federation of the recycling industry headquartered in Brussels. BIR is a peer in the sense of being a recycling industry body, providing international market data and representation that complements CARI's national scope.

Others

• Recycling Today: Major North American recycling industry media brand and another CARI media sponsor. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but operates in the same content/audience ecosystem as CARI.
• Recycling Product News: Trade media publication that is a media sponsor of CARI events. Serves as an adjacent industry information provider rather than a direct peer, but comparable in serving the same recycling industry audience.

Regional players

• Federation of Hong Kong Recycling Industries: Hong Kong-based trade association for the recycling sector. Comparable as a regional recycling industry body, though smaller and more geographically focused than CARI.
• Metal Recyclers Association (MRA - Australia): Australian peak body for the metal recycling industry, structurally analogous to CARI at a national level. Comparable as a regional scrap recycling association serving a single country's industry.
• Scrap Recycling Industries Federation of India (SRIF): Indian national federation representing the scrap recycling industry. Comparable as an emerging-market counterpart advocating for a national scrap recycling sector, though operating in a very different regulatory environment.
• European Recycling Industries Confederation (EuRIC): European umbrella association for recycling industries, structurally comparable to CARI but serving EU recyclers. Comparable as a regional trade association advocating for recycling industry interests at the supranational level.

Broad incumbents

• National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA - US): US-based trade association representing the private waste and recycling industry. Adjacent to CARI's scope but more focused on solid waste collection, complementing rather than directly competing with CARI's scrap metal emphasis.
• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME): Canada's largest industry trade association, serving broader manufacturing and export sectors. While not recycling-specific, CME overlaps with CARI on Canadian policy advocacy, cross-border trade issues, and SME member services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cari_recycling
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cariacir
• Facebookfacebook.com/CARIACIRScrap

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Canadian Association of Recycling Industries