Solid Waste and Recycling Realities, Trends

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Solid Waste and Recycling Realities, Trends
ChangesEnviroPharm Conference April 30, 2007
The Recycling Council of Ontario www.rco.on.ca
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Presentation Points

• About RCO
• Ontario Disposal Information
• Waste Recycling Trends
• Important information for the Pharmaceutical
  Industry

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Who is Recycling Council of Ontario?

• Not for profit, non-government, environmental
  organization whose mandate is to inform and
  educate about the generation of waste, the
  avoidance of waste, the more efficient use of
  resources and the benefits and or consequences of
  these activities
• Members represent a variety of stakeholders
  including municipalities, manufacturers, material
  processors, industry associations, small/medium
  size businesses, other NGOs, academics,
  consultants, other sister provincial
  organizations

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RCOs History Milestones

• 28 years of experience (incorporated in 1978)
• Instrumental in developing Ontarios Blue Box
  Program
• United Nations Environmental Award (1989)
• Lead 1994 Roles and Responsibilities Process to
  begin the define roles between municipalities and
  industry regarding end of life management of
  materials and products.
• Only environmental, not-for-profit organization,
  appointed by the Minister to participate on the
  board of Waste Diversion Organization.

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RCOs Work

• Provide information about the consequences of
  waste (environmental and economical). Examine and
  bring forward best practices on waste reduction
  and diversion
• Conduct waste audits and develop waste reduction
  action plans
• Conduct research to qualify the rationale for
  waste diversion programs and policies. Bring this
  information to policy makers.
• Support the development of effective and
  informative waste reduction policies and
  programs.
• Form partnerships members and other stakeholders
  to facilitate discussion and debate of the
  issues.
• Lead and support the implementation of programs
  and application of policies that result in waste
  avoidance, reduction, reuse and recycling.
• Support and test the development of programs to
  reduce wastes (Stewardship)

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RCO Ongoing Programs Services

• Waste Reduction Week in Canada (October)
• Ontario Waste Minimization Awards
• Waste Audit Consultative Services

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Current RCO Project/Policy Focus Areas

• Projects
• Reuseable Bag Shopper Loyalty Pilot Project
  (plastic shopping bags)
• Fluorescent Lamp Stewardship Pilot Project
• Zero Waste Community Event Toolkit
• School Waste Free Launch Campaign
• Waste Audit Consultation Services

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Defining the OpportunityDisposal in Ontario
Source Statistics Canada 2004 survey (released
on Wednesday, Feb. 6th) Disposal includes
landfilling and EFW
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Where does Ontario generate materials?

• 60 (6 million tonnes) generated in the
  Institution, Commercial Industrial sector
  (includes CRD materials)
• 40 (4 million tonnes) generated in the
  residential sector

Source Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Discussion Paper, June 2004
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Current Trends

• Environmental issues on the top of the public
  polling.
• (higher than health and education) !

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Current Waste Management Trends in Ontario

• Residential
• Focus shift from municipal based programs to
  stewardship and Extended Producer Responsibility
  Programs
• Active programs in Ontario under the Waste
  Diversion Act (WDA) include Blue Box. Most
  recent designation is HHSW.
• Municipalities Shifting from tax based to user
  pay (Bag limits, fee for bags etc.)
• Increased exploration into new and emerging
  technologies (EFW)
• Introduction of curbside organics programs.
• Private Sector
• Increasing interest in take back, stewardship,
  EPR
• Enforcement of Recycling Regulations (101/94
  104/94) Growing general awareness on part of ICI
  sectors

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Ontarios Regulatory Framework

• Environmental Protection Act
• General Waste Management Regulation (Reg. 347)
• Recycling Regulations (101/94 104/94)
• Waste Diversion Act, 2002 Stewardship/EPR
• Designating regulations (Blue Box, Used Tires,
  Used Oil, Electronics and Household
  Hazardous/Special Waste)
• Environmental Assessment Act
• Nutrient Management Act

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Regulations of Particular Interest to You

• 1) Waste Diversion Act, 2002 Brand owner
  and/or first importer to support the costs of
  end-of-life management of their packaging and
  products.
• Designating regulations (Blue Box, Used Tires,
  Used Oil, Electronics and Household
  Hazardous/Special Waste)
• HHSW - Ministers Program letter focus on Phase 1
  materials
• Draft Plan for Phase 1 materials scheduled
  completion date is May 23, 2007
• Program letter for Phase 2 will follow.
  Pharmaceuticals are included in this phase.

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Regulations of Particular Interest to You

• 2) Amendment to O. Reg. 347 Waste Tools
• Regulatory Amendments To Facilitate Waste
  Diversion, Use of Alternative Fuels and New And
  Emerging Waste Management Technologies
• Stand Alone means to recover, reuse and recycle
  have an exemption.

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HHSW Program Design Elements for Phase I materials

• Focus is HHSW materials generated from municipal
  (residential) and small ICI generators
• Municipalities will cover the cost of collection
  for service they now provide, stewards will pay
  for post collection and expansion efforts
• Costs reported by municipalities for existing
  programs is 16 million
• Program is anticipated to transfer 75 80 of
  the costs to the stewards

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Options to Consider as future Stewards

• Does your product suit a collective approach
  (Blue Box) or are you more suited for an
  Independent Stewardship Plan
• RCOs Fluorescent Lamp Stewardship Program Model
  is based on a voluntary Independent approach.
• Who are the partners that are involved in your
  supply chain.
• What role can you play to educate and facilitate
  proper end of life management of your product (to
  customers, suppliers and retailers)

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Important Information

• Learn about stewardship concepts, policies and
  program in all jurisdictions (both regulatory and
  voluntary)
• Be involved in the development of the HHSW
  program plan (Phase 1)
• Speak to stewards who are currently participating
  in Ontarios regulated programs (Blue Box
  packaging)
• Network with all stakeholders to stay informed
  and explore possible partnerships

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Thanks

• Jo-Anne St. Godard
• Recycling Council of Ontario
• www.rco.on.ca
• 416 657 2797
• joanne_at_rco.on.ca