[La version française suivra.]
WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has been transitioning recycling programs to an Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) model which is intended to make producers of products and packaging fully responsible for the cost of collection and recycling at end of life; and
WHEREAS four (4) recycling programs offered in Ontario have fully transitioned to the IPR model (batteries, electronics, tires and hazardous and special products), and the fifth program (blue box) to fully transition in 2026, each with their own challenges and successes, arising through the transition of each program; and
WHEREAS the Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) Program fully transitioned in Ontario under the Province’s IPR program on January 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS not all household hazardous waste materials are designated under the HSP regulation and remain a safe disposal concern, and
WHEREAS the City of Ottawa has and continues to hold Household Hazardous Waste collection events to ensure that hazardous materials are safely managed and disposed of and do not end up in our collection vehicles, in the Trail Waste Facility Landfill, in the natural environment or other waste processing facilities; and
WHEREAS full compensation for Household Hazardous Waste collection events is not required under the HSP regulation, even though many of the items collected are designated material for producer responsibility; and
WHEREAS the Provincial Blue Box Program will fully shift the City of Ottawa’s blue and black bin recycling programs to IPR under the lead Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) Circular Materials, who will be responsible for collecting recycling from eligible sources, starting January 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS City of Ottawa staff have worked diligently to ensure the transition of IPR programs is as seamless as possible to residents and as cost effective as possible for the City; and
WHEREAS many of the recently proposed amendments to Ontario’s Blue Box Regulation would erode producer responsibility and weaken the effectiveness of the recycling program; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff in Solid Waste Services be directed to work with Councillor Brockington and the Mayor’s Office to advocate to the Province of Ontario for stronger support with the IPR programs, including the expansion of materials that are designated for producer-responsibility, stronger targets for designated materials more accountability for the producers to meet the requirements of the regulations and more emphasis on working with municipalities; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the funding structure for compensating municipalities be revisited to ensure shortfalls of producers do not result in deficits for municipalities in instances where municipalities collect, transport and dispose of products or packaging that fall under the IPR regulations; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff report back in Q4 2025 on advocacy efforts, outcomes and achievements ahead of the full transition of the Provincial Blue Box Program that will begin on January 1, 2026.