Niagara welcomes plan to shift recycling costs to producers
While welcoming Ontario’s plans to shift the cost of blue box recycling programs to producers rather than taxpayers, Niagara Region’s public works committee members are concerned about a potential service reduction.
Following a Tuesday presentation by waste management services program manager Sherri Tait on provincial changes that would make producers responsible for the full cost of recycling materials in 2024, Fort Erie Coun. Tom Insinna called it “a great opportunity for Niagara Region to flourish with regards to the blue box program, especially if we keep the MRF (municipal recycling facility).”
The cost of recycling programs in Ontario is currently split between producers and taxpayers. The change will save taxpayers about $8.2 million a year.
Councillors, however, shared concerns of regional staff about the potential that blue box collection could be done on an every-other-week basis, once producers are given control of recycling operations.
Committee members supported a recommendation, authorizing staff to comment on the province’s plans to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, before the consultation program ends Dec. 3.
Niagara Falls Coun. Peter Nicholson said the province “is headed in the right direction” with its plan.
“I’m very pleased to see progress being made when it comes to the transition to producers’ responsibility,” he said.
Nicholson is, however, concerned about the potential that blue box collection could change.
“We’re advocating for every week. I think that’s an important point and something we should do because … it is a reduction in services if we were to go to every-other-week blue box collection. Especially when you consider here in the region, we recently moved to every-other-week garbage collection and part of the reasoning was we want to make it easier for people to recycle,” he said.
“I think it’s very important here in the region that we maintain that (weekly blue box collection) and I’m happy to see you’re advocating for that in your discussions with the province. If we’re serious about diversion, if we’re serious about reducing waste in our landfill I think that’s a crucial element.”