News
Communities across Canada continue to push for Zero Waste as seen by this recent release from Zero Waste Simcoe:
Legislation created by the Ontario Minister of the Environment, which planned to revise Ontario’s Waste Diversion Act, and which was ready for parliamentary introduction in June, has been postponed.
Many individuals who have closely followed the draft legislation are worried about the significance of the delay. In particular, Guy Crittenden expressed concern in his editorial in the June edition of Waste and Recycling Magazine.
“The topic of waste draws a lot of attention” said Zero Waste Simcoe chair Gord McKay. “I expect the Ministry has been lobbied but I am confident that Minister Gerretsen will follow thorough with his plan to change the way we manage our waste. I want to express our complete support to the Minister to have the anticipated WDA legislation introduced as soon as possible.”
The Waste Diversion Act revisions are expected to include a number of elements to resolve Ontario’s waste problem.
It will move waste diversion costs off the taxpayer. Encouraging manufacturers to take full responsibility for recovery of their products and packaging is good for taxpayers. Right now municipal taxes pay for half the net costs of the blue box recycling program - which subsidizes the industry and gives little incentive to redesign, eliminate waste packaging or to eco design products.
The revisions have broad support. The Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) – that represents the private waste industry, including landfill owners – with the agreement of The Municipal Waste Association (MWA), the Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) among many had agreed that a surcharge should be applied to waste sent to landfill to encourage waste diversion.
Ontario could become a waste diversion leader. The revisions, if passed, would make Ontario a leader in extended producer responsibility (EPR) a global development advocating environmentally sensitive production and eco-efficiency. Zero Waste Simcoe calls upon the residents, businesses and politicians across the province to contact the Minister of the Environment and support his intention to introduce the legislation when parliament re-opens this Fall.
Zero Waste Simcoe is a grassroots organization dedicated to helping Simcoe County become a Zero Waste community. Started in 2008, the rapidly growing organization has worked closely with the public and government to further the adoption of Zero Waste principles and practices.