WHEREAS recycling rates for residential homes in Metro Vancouver are currently at 44; AND WHEREAS in Metro Vancouver, the municipal blue box curbside service is the most established and successful aspect of the waste stream in terms of diversion; AND WHEREAS recyclable materials represent a potential revenue stream for municipalities; AND WHEREAS public policy priorities to drive zero waste should focus on much diverting of waste from multi-family dwellings, and the commercial and industrial sectors; AND WHEREAS the Province has amended the Recycling Regulation to include extended producer responsibility for paper and packaging by 2014; AND WHEREAS municipalities have the most knowledge about the recycling system in their communities; AND WHEREAS the new stewardship program does not require municipal pick up and could eliminate publicly controlled residential collection of paper and packaging: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province amend the Recycling Regulation so that stewardship organizations fund recycling programs through local governments.
