CIF Bulletin

Update on the Ministry of Environment, Conservation & Parks' November 27 Webinar

"Developing Producer Responsibility Regulations for Blue Box"

Topics covered

Among the topics covered were:

• A recap of activities to date to "improve diversion, reduce plastic waste, tackle litter" via new Producer Responsibility Approach, along with a reminder of its key features
• ​Reminder of report of the Special Advisor on Recycling & Plastic Waste, with recommendations on how to move forward with producer responsibility for Blue Box: "materials, targets, collection requirements – but most critically, timing"
• Current status of Blue Box, including timing for transition
• Notation re: timing including SO consultations to develop and submit plan to RPRA by June 30, 2020; Ministry aims to approve it by December 31, 2020
• Overview of the Ministry's approach to this initiative and the new regulation
• Next steps and Q&A

Overall theme

• ​The new approach will be guided by regulation rather than by a 'government approved plan'; the Ministry has authority over the RPRA but not over individual 'actors'
• With input from consultation, the Ministry will develop the regulation; RPRA is responsible for oversight, compliance and enforcement 

Overview of approach & new regulation

MECP indicates that the regulation under RRCEA will regulate outcomes in four key areas (slide 5):

1. A hierarchy of producers that are responsible for meeting outcomes
2. Materials to be collected
3. Collection and management requirements
4. Registration and reporting

Next opportunities to connect

MECP has laid out a multi-year roadmap with working groups, webinars, consultations and document review. The composition of working groups is shown in the appendix of the presentation (below) and those who would like to provide input were urged via the webinar, to connect with their association or others in the groups. 

According to MECP, SO will manage a consultation process in early 2020 and the next webinar will be planned for Spring 2020 to coincide with the release of the Blue Box Policy Paper for public comment.

For more information:

• View the MECP webinar presentation 
• View the Special Advisor's report

MECP suggests that further questions be directed to the Resource Recovery Policy Branch at RRPB.mail@ontario.ca.