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Modernizing Quebec’s curbside recycling system for good thanks to EPR

Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) presented this Tuesday, October 20th to the Commission on transportation and the Environment its recommendations as part of special consultations on Bill 65. From the start, ÉEQ welcomed the government’s decision to place companies at the heart of the curbside recycling system and enable them to take responsibility for their containers, packaging, printed matter and newsprint (C, P, PM & N) from design to recycling, with a view to developing the circular economy. Companies will no longer be responsible only for financing the system, they will have control over it.

Twelve (12) recommendations to ensure that modernization is a success

Key recommendations made by ÉEQ and its governance structure pertaining to the Bill and upcoming regulation aim to ensure that:

  • The principles of extended producer responsibility (EPR) be respected, as the bill lacks clarity, specifically regarding the roles and responsibilities that establish a new partnership between companies and municipalities.
  • Companies be represented, as soon as possible, by a single designated recognized management organization (RMO) whose mandate will be to develop, implement and finance the curbside recycling system for C, P, PM & N and deal with municipalities.
  • The transition measures allow for the alignment of the current compensation plan and the modernized system in order to guarantee financial predictability, particularly during the current pandemic.
  • The upcoming regulation will enable companies to handle their responsibilities with flexibility and the required degree of latitude as well as fairness.

An essential complementarity between the curbside recycling and deposit-refund systems

Also, as both the curbside recycling and deposit systems manage materials flows, refundable containers will continue to end up in recycling bins. Consequently, the broadening of the deposit system will represent a significant shortfall for curbside recycling, and the upcoming regulation will have to include a complementarity mechanism between the two modernized systems.

Finally, ÉEQ wishes to express its great satisfaction with the unique collaboration mechanisms that were implemented by the government as part of work efforts on the modernization of curbside recycling. Along with all players in the system, ÉEQ and its association partners will continue actively participating in work on the modernization of curbside recycling instigated this summer by the Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change. 

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Information:
Marie-Claude Tremblay
Senior Advisor, Public Affairs
Éco Entreprises Québec
514 250-6442; mctremblay@eeq.ca