Ontario proposes new rules for Blue Box fees and recycling services

Ontario is proposing changes to its provincewide Blue Box program, which provides recycling to more than 5 million households and is funded and run by producers of packaging and paper products.

What could change

• Proposed amendments to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act would let the province regulate contracts between producers and producer responsibility organizations, including fees for collection and recycling.
• The province plans to consult producers, recycling organizations and the public on clearer cost reporting, service requirements for recycling carts and bins, and future collection of flexible plastics.
• Ontario is also exploring replacing the current program administrator with an independent administrator.

The proposals are intended to make producer costs more predictable and improve transparency and efficiency. The legislative changes would require passage, and the regulatory changes are being developed through consultation.