Whereas the Recycle BC program is only responsible for residential Printed Paper and Packaging, leaving the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional sector including schools, hospitals, restaurants, stores, and entertainment events dependent on the private sector or local governments for access to recycling, and the producers of Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Printed Paper and Packaging unaccountable for the recovery of their product; And whereas changes in the global recycling market has resulted in reduced access to recycling of Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Printed Paper and Packaging, local governments will be significantly challenged in meeting the Provinces waste diversion targets and calls for restrictions on recyclable material entering landfills: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy expand the scope of the Recycling Regulation for Printed Paper Packing to include the Industrial Commercial and Institutional sector; And be it further resolved that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change implement policy, consistent with the Provincial goal to reduce per capita waste to 350 kg per year, to stabilize the market system by mandating recyclable material as a percentage into feedstock for finished products such as writing paper, toilet paper, facial tissue, paper towels, packaging, etc. as well as eliminating subsidies on virgin materials such as oil to create a more level playing field, reduce the carbon footprint and revitalize the already consumed cardboard and packaging waste.
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Effective waste management procedures and solutions contribute a great deal to preserving our environment. The Province of British Columbia is working with local governments, Indigenous leaders, businesses, industry and British Columbians to determine the best ways to prevent waste and improve recycling. Recognizing the need for a new approach to plastics and single-use items, the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan and engagement was launched by the Province on July 25th, 2019. Through the consultation paper, the Ministry sought feedback on developing new policy options and actions in four connected areas to reduce plastic pollution and use less plastic overall. This included information on the use of bans, levies or fees for single use packaging and expanding producer responsibility for packaging-like products and single-use items. The consultation closed on September 30th, 2019 and the Ministry is currently reviewing feedback collected during the engagement period and will publish a What We Heard report to inform the appropriate policy or regulatory responses. In 2019, the Ministry undertook research and focused engagement concerning additional products that may prove suitable to manage under the Recycling Regulation. This work will help inform the ministry on productmaterial gaps, including how recycling in the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional ICI sector is currently managed. Any work to explore new regulations, including the ICI sector, would be accompanied by further consultation in advance of any regulatory changes.