Blue Box Program

Resource • January 15, 2021

March 15, 2021

On October 19, 2020, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (‘Ministry’) released a proposed regulation, and proposed regulatory amendments, to make producers responsible for operating blue box programs. Comments on the draft regulation closed on December 3, 2020.

The Municipal 3Rs Collaborative submitted comments on the draft regulation on November 30, 2020. The submission began with what elements that municipalities strongly supported in the draft regulation:

Establishment of a province-wide common collection system
An enhanced and standardized list of materials
High, progressive and enforceable targets
Certainty for planning to ensure a seamless transition
Removing burden from municipal budgets at a time when it is needed more than ever.

There were, however, some areas in the draft regulation that municipalities identified as problematic and in need of being addressed in the regulation. What differences, if any, are made between the draft and the final versions of the regulation remain to be seen. At the ROMA 2021 Conference, Minister Yurek told delegates to expect the final blue box regulation in mid-February 2021. Unfortunately, the regulation has not been posted at the time of writing.

Municipal governments have strongly advocated that the Ministry not weaken any of the core policy components. AMO will report out to members when the final regulation is posted.

Resources

Municipal Comments on proposed Blue Box regulation and proposed regulatory amendments ERO # 019-2579. November 30, 2020
Municipal Comments to RPRA on SO Blue Box Transition Plan. November 10, 2020
Municipal Comments on the Regulation under Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 for Packaging, Paper and Packaging-Like Products. July 29, 2020
Municipal Comments on SO Blue Box Transition Plan. July 15, 2020
Key Elements in PPPP Regulation - Draft For Feedback. April 9, 2020
Ministers Letter Approving Extension of Wind-Up of Blue Box Program. April 3, 2020
Call for Resolutions for Blue Box Transition from AMO President. December 18, 2019
Minister’s Direction Letter to Stewardship Ontario Wind-Up Blue Box Program. August 15, 2019
Special Advisor’s Report on Blue Box Transition Released. August 8, 2019
Letter to Minister Yurek on Special Advisor’s Table on Recycling and Plastic Waste. July 22, 2019
Minister Yurek’s Statement on Receiving the Special Advisor’s Report on Recycling and Plastic Waste. July 22, 2019.
Letter to Minister Yurek on Special Advisor’s Table on Recycling and Plastic Waste. July 22, 2019.
Province: Modernizing Blue Box Stakeholder Webinar. June 20, 2019.
Ontario To Tackle Plastic Litter & Waste & Revamp Recycling. June 7, 2019.
Municipal Government Submission on Waste & Litter Discussion Paper. April 17, 2019.
Letter to Minister Phillips on Transitioning the Blue Box to Full Producer Responsibility. March 19, 2019.
Waste & Litter Discussion Paper. March 6, 2019.
Municipal Government Submission to Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations. January 2019.