Norman Lee, Director of Waste Management, provided an overview of the transition timelines and proposed direction for the Region of Peel’s five diversion programs that are subject to the new provincial full producer responsibility framework: tires; batteries; electrical and electronic equipment; municipal hazardous and special waste; and, blue box.
Norman Lee advised that on October 19, 2020, the provincial government released the proposed regulation to make producers responsible for operating blue box programs. Staff will provide comments and proposed recommendations on the draft blue box regulation at the November 19, 2020 Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee. The deadline to provide comments to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is December 3, 2020.
Councillor Sinclair stated that there needs to be clear lines of accountability when the five Regional diversion programs are transitioned to full producer responsibility.
Councillor Innis noted that the overview of the draft blue box regulation including its benefits to the community should be conveyed to the public and shared with all members of Council. She requested that the November 19, 2020 Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee report on the draft blue box regulation include a robust communication plan.
In response to a question of clarification from Councillor Innis regarding advocacy to divert compost from landfill sites, Norman Lee stated that the Region continues to advocate for all five diversion programs. The draft blue box regulation includes a stipulation for compostable packaging and similar type of compostable products to be under full producer responsibility. The provincial government will collect data on compostable materials over the next few years before the targets are established.
Councillor Innis requested that staff report back to a future Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee meeting with information on the stipulation for compostable packaging from the draft blue box regulation and its potential impact on the Region’s organics collection and processing, including costs.
Councillor Innis requested that the report recommendation be amended to include direction that staff negotiate agreements related to the transition, operation or funding of the Region’s Municipal Hazardous and Special Waste diversion program and report back to a future meeting of Regional Council or Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee, as appropriate.
Councillor Innis suggested that Region of Peel staff consult with staff from the City of Toronto and other municipalities regarding their advocacy efforts for fair cost recovery and approaches to ensuring the draft blue box regulation provisions are adhered to.