CME SUPPORTS INDUSTRY-LED BLUE BIN PROGRAM

TORONTO (August 15, 2019) — Manufacturers support the Government of Ontario’s intention for industry to have full operational and financial responsibility of the province’s curbside recycling, the Blue Box system. This could help Ontario’s manufacturers continue to set the pace in reducing litter and waste and help achieve a better balance between the environment and the economy.

“An industry-led program will have benefits not only for taxpayers, but also for producers, who will have better oversight of the system,” said Dennis Darby, President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME). “This will help reduce costs and, harmonize collection practices through the province, creating greater incentives for manufacturers to optimize packaging.”

Producers have made significant investments to support the development of Ontario’s current blue-box recycling system. Roughly 1,900 producers provide more than $127 million each annually to support municipal collection and processing. Since the blue-box program started, businesses have contributed more than $1.36 billion to municipal recycling systems.

CME looks forward to working with the Government of Ontario, industry and municipal stakeholders to ensure a full transition to producer responsibility and allow for the province to become a global leader in reusing, recycling and recovering plastics. “It is critical that this transition doesn’t result in more costs or red-tape for Ontario manufacturers,” added Darby. “Manufacturers are already paying more than their fair share in taxes. Additional costs would further hinder their competitiveness.”