WHEREAS a large proportion of recyclable materials are exported from Canada to the United States, Southeast Asia and other offshore countries to be processed back into basic manufacturing feedstock; AND WHEREAS this export of valuable materials results in an increased environmental impact from transportation, a lack of local control of the end markets for our recyclables and a reduced number of Canadian jobs; AND WHEREAS the recent economic downturn and collapse of the world commodity markets has highlighted BCs and Canadas dependence on foreign markets for recyclable materials, which has had a large impact on financial returns, employment and our ability to maintain our recycling programs; AND WHEREAS a number of provinces are considering large new stewardship programs to cover more packaging which will increase the amount of materials that need to be recycled: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities urge both the federal and provincial governments to implement policies and programs that will lead to the creation of increased industrial capacity in British Columbia and in Canada to process recyclable materials; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that: - mandatory recycled content legislation similar to that which exists in some US states be implemented in BC as one policy to increase the demand for old materials; and - a grant andor loan guarantee program for recycling plant infrastructure development should also be implemented.
Ministry of Environment The policy of the Ministry of Environment under the Recycling Regulation is to set clear industry stewardship requirements for regulated product categories without prescribing the specific process or location where collected products should be managed. We have enjoyed considerable success with our approach to industry stewardship and the ministry is not considering alternative approaches such as mandatory recycled content legislation at this time. In addition to product stewardship driving recycling in B.C., local governments can further support in-province recycling by working with stewardship agencies and recyclers and by developing local infrastructure and zoning to accommodate the needs of such facilities.