Resolution on Transition to Full Producer Responsibility
WHEREAS the amount of single-use plastics leaking into our lakes, rivers, waterways is a growing area of public concern;
WHEREAS reducing the waste we generate and reincorporating valuable resources from our waste stream into new goods can reduce GHGs significantly;
WHEREAS the transition to full producer responsibility for packaging, paper and paper products is a critical to reducing waste, improving recycling and driving better economic and environmental outcomes; ,
WHEREAS the move to a circular economy is a global movement, and that the transition of Blue Box programs would go a long way toward this outcome;
WHEREAS the Municipality of East Hawkesbury is supportive of a timely, seamless, and successful transition of Blue Box programs to full financial and operational responsibility by producers of packaging, paper and paper products;
WHEREAS the Municipality of East Hawkesbury is concerned about a recent proposal by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks that could jeopardize over 135 small rural, remote, and Northern community Blue Box programs across the Province as well as servicing to schools and public spaces;
AND WHEREAS the Association of Municipalities of Ontario has requested municipal governments with Blue Box programs to provide an indication of the best date to transition our Blue Box program to full producer responsibility;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT the Municipality of East Hawkesbury strongly advocates for language to be included in the regulation that ensures municipalities under 5,000 continue to receive Blue Box servicing as was agreed as part of the Provincial government’s Blue Box mediation as well as schools and public spaces.
THAT the Municipality of East Hawkesbury would like to transition their Blue Box program to full producer responsibility January 1, 2023 (between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025).
AND THAT this decision is based on the following rationale:
- Insert rationale based on analysis of contracts, assets, integrated waste management system or other considerations (e.g., our collection contract for Blue Box material expires December 31, 2024 and our processing contract for Blue Box material also expires December 31, 2024.)
AND THAT the Municipality of East Hawkesbury would be interested in providing collection services to Producers should we be able to arrive at mutually agreeable commercial terms.
AND FURTHER THAT any questions regarding this resolution can be directed to Luc Lalonde, CAO-Clerk/ Tresurer at 613-674-2170 ext 1006 or [email protected]
AND FURTHER THAT the resolution be forwarded to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.