Sustainability Consultant Network presents: Discuss the new Ontario Waste-Free strategy and Bill 151

Sustainability Consultant Network The goal is to share best practices in the sustainability field, create a network of fellow environmental professionals, and to find ways to increase public’s awareness for environmental preferred products, services, and policies. We do cool things like analyzing case studies, researching sustainability reports and policies, investigating eco-marketing campaigns, and discussing current events. We also invite speakers from various organizations to talk about their initiatives.

Overview Current State Current Policy Framework Breakout session New strategy/policy Other countries Discussion

Current State: Waste Hierarchy  Waste diversion  Goes to landfill

: 27% : 17% : 6% : 50% Source: Statistics Canada 2010 * ICI = Industrial, Commercial, and institutional

How does a recycle program work?

Residential Waste composition

Residential Waste -Paper, Plastic, Glass, Metal: Curbside Blue Box program (Provincial: Environmental Protection Act, Waste Diversion Act) -Extended Producer Responsibility – Producers fund 50% of the program, program managed by municipalities, and oversaw by Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) -Electronics, Tires, Hazardous Waste (Provincial: Waste Diversion Act) -Extended Producer Responsibility – Producers fund 100% of the programs, oversee by WDO -Leaf and Yard Waste, Organics – Municipal Bylaws

ICI Waste composition E.g. Factories, Offices, Malls, Schools, Construction sites Government does not have good ICI waste data

ICI Waste – regulatory programs -3R Regulations (Provincial: Environmental Protection Act) – organizations of above 10,000 sq ft. need to annually perform a waste audit and have a waste reduction plan in place -Electronics, Tires, Hazardous Waste (Provincial: Waste Diversion Act) -Extended Producer Responsibility – Producers fund 100% of the programs, oversee by WDO -Pharmaceuticals and sharps (Provincial: Environmental Protection Act) Common practices: organizations pay waste haulers to collect their wastes. Waste diversion at large ICI space is regulated, but not strictly enforced; and at small ICI space is voluntary, and it often costs more

Extended Producer Responsibility Provincial regulations require industry to meet waste diversion target for designated materials, e.g. Electronics Stewardship agencies are formed by industry to manage waste diversion program and put a price on it, called the Eco fee Most retailers made the business decision to pass on the fees to the customers.

ICI Waste – Voluntary programs Reduce -$0.10 discount if one brings her/his own mug – e.g. Tim Hortons, Starbucks -Packaging less store – Farmer’s Market, Bulk Burn Reuse -Goodwill, Salvation Army, second hand stores, Kijiji etc. Recycle -Alcoholic beverage bottles – collect by Beer Store -Electronics, batteries, ink – collect by retailers such as Staples, Best Buy -Clothing and Shoes: H&M, Levi’s (US), Nike

Some challenges: It costs to divert waste Lack of ICI waste data for the government to make good policy Waste audit and reduction plan is not enforced by the government End of life materials often has low resell value Public awareness Lack of focuses on reduce and reuse – hard to measure too

Breakout session Discuss about challenges faced by the following parties when trying to reduce waste: Government Businesses Individual

Challenges: Government: Lack of ICI data Lack of resources to enforce Maintain Ontario’s competitiveness Low focus on reduce: e.g. encourage second hand, sharing economy Practical and easy for the public to understand, e.g Eco fee for Hazardous waste Public may perceive waste management fees (e.g. Eco fee) as a tax grab Funding

Challenges: ICI: It often costs more to divert waste properly, and there are lack of incentives to do the right thing e.g. Heinz closed ketchup plant in Leamington in 2014, partly due to the Blue box fee they have to pay Ok to fund Blue Box program, but want it to be more efficient Level playing field – e.g. Online retailers? Newspaper? Different requirements in each province/municipality Might have no control over imported products/packaging No end market for waste

Challenges: Individuals: Don’t know where to recycle things like electronics, batteries, appliances (wastenothing.ca) Don’t know if ___ is recyclable for curbside Lack of incentives and choices, social norm Do not feel empowered to make a difference

What is in the new strategy: Vision 1.Zero waste in the province 2.Zero greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector Objectives 1)Increase Resource Productivity to Reduce Waste 2)Enable an Efficient and Effective Recycling System 3)Create Conditions to Support Sustainable End-Markets

What is in the new strategy: Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority to replace WDO, focus on Data collection and enforcement Circular economy: provide incentives for the use of recycled materials E.g. Government procurement policy – products made from recycled content Ensure smooth transition to the new system Still have minimum focus on Reduce and Reuse

Linear Circular economy

Example of products made in the Circular Economy

New strategy: Residential Waste -Paper, Plastic, Glass, Metal: Blue Box program -Producers funding goes up from 50% to 100% of the program, but gain full control on program management -Electronics, Tires, Hazardous Waste -Extended Producer Responsibility – Producers still fund 100% of the programs, but are given more flexible on how to meet the diversion target -Looks to designate more materials: Light bulbs, household appliances, carpets, mattresses -Propose an Organic ban -Leaf and Yard Waste – still municipal programs, no change

New strategy: ICI Waste -3R Regulations (Environmental Protection Act) – Review 3R Regulations -Electronics, Tires, Hazardous Waste -Extended Producer Responsibility – Producers still fund 100% of the programs, but are given more flexibility on how to meet the diversion target -Looks to designate more materials: Light bulbs, household appliances, carpets, mattresses -Pharmaceuticals and sharps – no change

Examples from other countries:

Sweden – 99% waste diversion rate

France – organic waste Source:

Conclusion It’s still up to individuals and organizations to reduce waste, but good policies can provide incentives for good actions and penalizes bad ones The new strategy might not be perfect, but still could be an improvement from the current one Enforcement is key

Next event Marketing Eco-products and services – Increasing awareness or Greenwashing? Monday Apr 18 th 6:00-7:30PM CSI Annex