Those who produce the goods we use will soon be fully responsible for the cost of recycling in Ontario.
The provincial government says it will transition those costs from municipalities beginning in 2023, over a 3 year period.
Andrea Khanjin, the Minister of Environment’s Parliamentary Assistant, it’s something the municipalities wanted.
“Municipalities have been asking for this for quite some time, because for them it means a cost savings of anywhere of $125 to 175-million/year.”
Khanjin says the move is also aimed at increasing recycling and adding more items to the blue boxes currently not collected at curbside.
“Among municipalities, there is no standardization of what can and can’t go into the blue box. So while some people accept certain plastic materials, other municipalities won’t. So, this will help increase the types of materials that go into the blue box.”
Thunder Bay city officials seem optimistic.
Solid Waste and Recycling Services Manager Jason Sherband says it will save them money.
“This will give us an opportunity to re-direct some costs and where they’re needed. So, for us, that’s definitely a bonus for us.”
