|
Issue 4, October 21, 2009
Gerretsen Unveils
New Approach to EPR
In his remarks at the Recycling Council of Ontario’s kick-off of Waste Reduction Week 2009 on October 19, Environment Minister John Gerretsen announced Ontario’s new approach to extended producer responsibility (EPR).
Gerretsen said he will release his “Report on the Waste Diversion Act Review” within a few weeks. Promising consultation on the various components of the review, he outlined what stakeholders can expect to see in the new waste diversion strategy.
100% Extended Producer
Responsibility
- The new waste diversion strategy
will be based on 100% EPR and will identify the materials,
progressive targets and timelines to meet the targets.
- Individual producers will
be responsible for diverting the waste resulting from
the sale of their products.
- Producers will be given flexibility
in how they meet their responsibilities. Flexibility
will not be “one size fits all” but rather will
offer the option of developing a plan to collect
and manage their own waste, joining with a group of
producers to meet obligations or hiring a service
provider.
- Producers will be required
to report regularly. Accountability measures, such
as penalties, will be put in place for those who fail
to meet the requirements.
- The strategy alludes to phased
in bans.
- The strategy will recognize a broader
range of existing, new and emerging processes and
technologies to recover materials for reuse and recycling.
Blue Box
- The Minister acknowledged
the success of the Blue Box program, saying he intends
to build on it by moving to full producer responsibility.
- He noted the need for transition
in order to deal with issues such as:
- future role of municipalities
- how to address municipal
investments
- consumer accessibility
and service standards
WDO
The Minister indicated that there
would be a clarification of the roles and responsibilities
of various parties, and would be reassessing the governance
structure and mandate of WDO under the new framework.
Harmonization With Other
Jurisdictions
The Minister announced that he
plans to harmonize EPR with other leading jurisdictions.
Phase 1 Year 2 MHSW Fees
Stewardship Ontario presented the 2010 preliminary fees for Blue Box (BB) and Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) stewards at an information session held on September 10. Comments on the BB and MHSW fees were accepted until September 30. After consideration of the comments, recommendations were submitted to the Stewardship Ontario Board for approval on October 19. The next step will be to submit the recommendation to the WDO Board for approval at its meeting on October 28. Once that process is complete, the fees for 2010 Blue Box and MHSW programs along with a summary of the comments received from stewards and stakeholders will be posted on the Stewardship Ontario website.
To enquire
about or comment on this edition of In
the News!, please
email: bmcconnell@stewardshipontario.ca or phone Barbara McConnell at 416-323-0101, ext. 155. |
