Packaging EPR to be developed in New Brunswick
November 8th, 2019
An extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and printed paper will be developed by the provincial government in collaboration with Recycle NB and stakeholders. It is hoped that the EPR program will increase the volume of packaging being sent for recycling from 30 per cent through existing voluntary recycling programs to more than 60 per cent.
British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec currently have similar EPR programs in place, representing about 80 per cent of the Canadian population.
How will this affect you?
Producers placing packaging and printed paper onto the market will be obligated to paying for its collection and recycling or disposal once an extended producer responsibility program is developed.
There are different criteria that could be used to determine which waste producers fall under the program, such gross revenue, or the number of storefronts the company has. These thresholds have yet to be decided.
When will this happen?
Environment and Local Government Minister Jeff Carr has indicated that it will take six to 12 months to set the regulations.
What will you need to do?
Manufacturers or producers or owners of the packaging that enters New Brunswick would pay for the program. Manufacturers and producers would pay fees into a fund for the packaging and printed paper they place onto the market in New Brunswick.
At this point, the materials that will be included in the program have not been decided. The EPR program in British Columbia, for example, includes packaging that contains a product at the point of sale, secondary packaging for grouped products, tertiary packaging for transportation, and service packaging such as carry-out bags, and disposable plates and cups.
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