Ontario developing enhanced Blue Box Program

TORONTO — Ontario is unveiling regulations to improve its Blue Box recycling program.

The provincial government says enhancements include expanding the items that can be recycled and making producers of products and packaging fully responsible for the waste they create.

According to Ontario, the proposed new Blue Box regulation will:

• Standardize and increase the list of materials accepted in the blue box including paper and plastic cups, wraps, foils, trays, and bags and other single use items such as stir sticks, straws, cutlery and plates.
• Transition the costs of the program away from municipal taxpayers by making the producers of products and packaging fully responsible for costs, resulting in an estimated savings of $135 million annually for municipalities.
• Expand blue box services to more communities, such as smaller, rural and remote communities, including those under 5,000 people.
• Set the highest diversion targets in North America for the various categories of waste producers are expected to recycle such as paper, glass, beverage containers and rigid and flexible plastic.
• The province will also expand blue box services to facilities such as apartment buildings, long-term care homes, schools and municipal parks in 2026.

The draft Blue Box regulation will be posted for 45 days for public feedback, ending December 2, 2020.