Across Canada, governments and non-governmental agencies continue to implement various innovative waste management programs to divert waste away from landfills. These programs involve many product categories, including tires, batteries, electronic products, packaging and printed paper, beverage containers, and hazardous and special products.
Key changes can include: i) new programs in jurisdictions that formerly did not have programs, ii) expanded product lists for existing programs, iii) shifts from product stewardship models to EPR models, and iv) expanded regulatory enforcement mechanisms and activity.
We also note several general updates about Canadian waste management and diversion.
Waste diversion programs will continue to evolve and companies must ensure they understand their obligations to maintain compliance. Gowling WLG continues to monitor these programs closely and will publish further updates as information becomes available.
The environmental law team at Gowling WLG has assisted many entities in meeting their EPR and stewardship requirements across Canada. If you have questions about your company's obligations, we encourage you to contact any member of our team.
[8] Ontario Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority, "2022 RRCEA Program Fees for Tires, ITT/AV and Batteries, Lighting, HSP, and Blue Box," June 2022.
[16] Reported resource recover information currently available is posted here.