Whereas reasonable and free consumer access to recycling collection facilities or collection services is the cornerstone of British Columbias recycling framework; And whereas the 2021 Accessibility Framework within the Stewardship Agencies of British Columbias Guidance on Accessibility of Stewardship Programs will not provide for the service levels expected within many remote communities in British Columbia, as Extended Producer Responsibility programs are only provided where practical: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the provincial government for improved access to recycling for rural and remote communities with tiered and funded solutions based on the remoteness index and developed in collaboration with local governments.
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy BCs Recycling Regulation requires extended producer responsibility EPR programs to adequately provide for reasonable and free consumer access to collection facilities or collection services. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Ministry reviews EPR plans for reasonable consumer access and expects continuous improvement in this area. The Ministry is aware of concerns raised with the Stewardship Agencies of British Columbias 2021 Accessibility Framework. In spring 2023, the Ministry concluded a contract with a consultant who developed a framework for enhancing consumer access to EPR collection facilities and services in BC Access in rural and remote communities was a key consideration in the contract. The consultants framework uses Statistics Canadas Index of Remoteness to categorize communities from easily accessible to very remote. The Ministry is currently reviewing the consultants framework for consideration prior to introducing new policy on consumer access. As this work progresses, the ministry intends to engage with interested parties including local governments and Indigenous partners.