Waste diversion collection rates on the rise

Published November 2, 2017

Ontario’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Chris Ballard issued this letter directing Stewardship Ontario and the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority to prepare an amended residential Blue Box Program Plan (a-BBPP) by February 15, 2018.

What does that mean for Ontario businesses? This amended plan will transition the current program from a shared cost model to full producer responsibility model under legislation s.13 of the Waste Diversion Transition Act (WDTA). The WDTA provides the government with an approach to wind-up the four existing waste diversion programs into one Act. The WDTA also enables the wind-up of the industry funding organizations that operate these programs.

The government’s intention with this transition is to “…set the stage for a second phase of transition that will result in individual producer responsibility under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA)”.

According to the Ontario government, each person in the province produces more than 850 kilograms of waste every year. For the past 10 years, Ontario has only recycled about 25 per cent of our waste, with estimates suggesting that over eight million tonnes of waste is sent to landfill each year. At the heart of the legislation is the concept that producers should be responsible for the end-of-life management of their products and packaging.

What can you do? As part of this process, Stewardship Ontario’s proposal for an amended plan will be developed jointly with RPRA in consultation with stewards, municipalities and other key stakeholders. We are encouraging all members to review the plan and provide feedback that is useful and specific to your organization. Are you a steward? Check here.

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