Waste Diversion in Ontario: Current Progress and Strategic Directions

1. Waste Diversion in Ontario:Current Progress and Strategic Directions Association of Municipal Recycling Co-ordinators AMRC Fall Conference Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario October 22-24, 2008

2. Waste Diversion Framework • Diversion of waste from disposal is a priority for Ontario. Diversion is based on the 3Rs – reduction, reuse, and recycling. • Legislative framework: • Ontario’s Waste Diversion Act, 2002 (WDA) sets the legal framework to "promote the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste and to provide for the development, implementation and operation of waste diversion programs.” • The WDA also sets up roles and responsibilities for various players: • The Minister of the Environment designates wastes for diversion, requests the development of programs, and approves/rejects these programs. • Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) is a non-government agency established through the WDA to oversee diversion programs. • Industry funding organizations (IFOs) are made up of brand owners and first importers of designated wastes to operate and fund diversion programs. • Municipalities receive funding from industry for operating the Blue Box program.

3. Progress on Diversion • Program development: • 2 programs have been established and operate under the WDA framework: Blue Box Program and Phase 1 of the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) Program – Phases 2 and 3 are under development. • A further program has been approved and is being implemented: Phase 1 of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Program– phase 2 is under development. • Another program has been requested and is under development: Used Tires. • Diversion in the province has experienced mixed results: • Ontario generated nearly 13 million tonnes (mt) of non-hazardous waste in 2006. • Residential sector generated about 5 mt and diverted about 38%. • Industrial, commercial and institutional sector generated about 7.5 mt and diverted about 12%. • The Blue Box Program diverted 63% of Blue Box materials in 2006 • Ontario is seeking to make further improvements on diversion due to several factors, including: • the environmental impacts of disposal (GHGs, use of virgin materials, energy, water, etc.); • difficulties in increasing landfill capacity (e.g. approvals process, siting); • potential border closure to waste exports; and • low rates of diversion from the IC&I sectors; and • the promotion of environmental sustainability and the green economy.

4. MHSW Program Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) • Phase I program began on July 1, 2008. • Materials targeted: paints, solvents, oil filters and containers, single use batteries, antifreeze, propane cylinders, fertilizers and pesticides. • Industry pays for all post-collection costs. • Will make it easier for consumers to divert their hazardous waste products by doubling the number of collection events within the first year of implementation, extending operating hours at existing depots, providing new events to areas without service, and expanding retail take-back. • The Minister requested that WDO submit a program for Phases 2 and 3 of the MHSW program. • Phase 2 is due March 2, 2009: Will include fluorescent lights, rechargeable batteries, aerosol containers, portable fire extinguishers, pharmaceuticals, syringes, mercury containing switches and other mercury-containing devices such as thermometers and thermostats. • Phase 3 is due in August 31, 2009: Will include other MHSW, as defined by the program, such as cleaners and adhesives. • Industry stewards will be required to fund all program costs. • Phases 2 and 3 of the MHSW program must investigate collection options that provide increased consumer access, including: • Residential collection; • Toxic taxi; • Retail take-back programs; and • Return incentives.

5. WEEE Program Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) • Phase 1 of the WEEE Program will start in April 2009. • Materials targeted include desktop and portable computers, monitors, printers and televisions. • 100% funded by industry. • Program implementation includes: • Qualifying potential recyclers / refurbishers as per the auditing system and standards set. • Developing promotional / educational materials. • Competitive bids and entering into contracts with collectors, transporters, reuse / refurbishment organizations, consolidation sites and processors. • Phase 2 of the program is being developed for submission to the Minister in July 2009. • Materials include telephones, cameras, and other audio-visual products.

6. Used Tires Program • The Minister requested that Waste Diversion Ontario work with industry to develop a tire diversion program for Ontario - due Dec 31, 2008. • Tire manufacturers and first importers are responsible for developing, implementing and paying (100%) for the program. • All passenger vehicle tires as well as commercial, agricultural and off road vehicles will be included in the program. • The program will require industry to divert 90% of tires by year 5 of the program. Industry will also be required to clean up stockpiles under the program. • Reuse and recycling tires is a priority under the program. Tires can only be used for landfill applications or burned for tire derived fuel if recycling is not feasible. • Municipalities can participate as tire collection agents

7. WDA Review • The WDA requires that the Minister review the Act within five years. • On October 16, 2008, the review of the WDA was launched with the posting on the EBR of the discussion paper, titled Toward a Zero Waste Future. • The discussion paper puts forward the long-term vision of striving for zero waste as a component of building Ontario’s green economy and a sustainable environment. • Jurisdictions around the world have embraced both extended producer responsibility (EPR) and zero waste as important pieces of building a green economy and environmental sustainability. • Will help create opportunities for businesses to innovate by identifying new strategies to redesign products and processes to reduce waste before it is made, design products for greater reuse, and ultimately eliminate waste. • May improve economic performance by achieving a range of efficiencies and savings, including lower energy costs, less demand for raw materials, the use of fewer toxic substances, and the creation of less packaging. • EPR and zero waste may drive more efficient and sustainable methods of production, lower operating costs, identify new revenue sources, and foster technological advancements.

8. WDA Review • The Ministry proposes that striving for zero waste be built upon four pillars: • Extended Producer Responsibility: • Visible vs. non-visible program fees. • Individual and collective stewardship approaches. • Fairness, competition, and the impact on existing markets. • Increasing waste reduction: • Diversion programs have focused on recycling, rather than reduction and reuse. • IC&I sector: • IC&I accounts for 2/3 of Ontario’s waste, but only recycled 12 percent in 2006. • Generators, not producers/manufacturers, are generally responsible for wastes. • Governance: • Complex and overlapping roles and responsibilities between WDO and IFOs. • Time needed to develop, approve, and implement diversion programs. • Public interest considered in program development, implementation, and operation. • Next Steps: • 90 Day consultation period ends Jan 15, 2009. • Stakeholder sessions to held around province • One on one meetings • Review results of consultation

9. Blue Box • On October 16, 2008 Minister directed WDO to review the blue box program. • WDO is to review and provide recommendations on 10 key issues, including: • A new overall diversion target; • Establishing materials-specific targets; • Consistency of materials collected in different municipalities; • Problematic wastes; • Blue box material not getting captured for diversion; • Blue box waste from the IC&I sector; • Additional blue box wastes – non packaging; • Environmentally responsible management; • Revised fee structure to encourage environmental design; and • Moving to full producer funding. • Report from WDO due March 20, 2009