Multi-Material BC (MMBC) has released its 2015 Annual Report detailing successful partnerships and demonstrated results delivered in its first full year of operations. MMBC is a not-for-profit organization overseeing residential packaging and printed paper recycling throughout much of the province, ensuring household material is collected, sorted and sold to end-markets. The MMBC program is funded by the businesses that supply packaging and printed paper to BC residents, shifting recycling costs away from homeowners.
Among the key highlights of the 2015 Annual Report:
- 86% of British Columbians living in areas that are part of the MMBC program reported that their recycling service is unchanged or better than one year earlier.
- MMBC continued to increase access to reliable and convenient recycling services, with 24 new depots and an additional 15,000 households receiving curbside or multi-family pick-up service.
- Over 1.7 million BC households in 151 communities now have access to MMBC services.
- MMBC collected 186,509 tonnes of packaging and printed paper, or 43.6 kg per capita, in 2015.
- Long-term program stability was enhanced through achievement of MMBC’s reserve goals. Building this strong financial foundation means that communities will be able to count on MMBC to deliver a consistent level of service, even in the face of future economic challenges and uncertain global commodity markets.
- To promote the environmental benefits of recycling and ensure residents have information and resources to support their recycling efforts, MMBC invested in a multi-faceted public education campaign that reached millions of BC residents, including a travelling events team, “second life” ad campaign, and a wealth of resources available on recyclinginbc.ca.
- MMBC continued to explore opportunities to partner with producers looking to redesign packaging to reduce its impact on the environment. Among the initiatives was a study conducted in partnership with Mother Parkers that analyzed single-use coffee and tea pods within the B.C. recycling system, and supported new innovations in recyclable packaging design.
- As part of its program plan commitment to explore the feasibility of recycling in the public realm, MMBC initiated a series of streetscape pilot projects.
- MMBC participated in an international study led by the Ellen McArthur Foundation and World Economic Forum to examine how governments and businesses can collaborate in reducing the amount of plastics and other waste that end up in the natural environment.
“Following our successful launch in 2014, we are very pleased with the progress made in 2015 to enable more British Columbians to recycle,” said Allen Langdon, Managing Director of MMBC. “We remain focused on delivering results and innovative recycling solutions that support BC communities.”
The MMBC program is unique in North America, as it is the first 100% Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for residential recycling where industry has assumed full financial and managerial responsibility. MMBC’s harmonized system for collection, processing and sale of packaging and printed paper into end markets has drawn attention from a variety of organizations and governments around the world and now serves as a model for other jurisdictions.
Since the program’s launch, British Columbians can now recycle new categories of packaging that were not included in many previous curbside or depot recycling programs – including milk cartons, foam polystyrene, plant pots, aluminum foil packaging, plastic film packaging and drink cups.
MMBC’s strong performance and leadership in promoting recycling is made possible by industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability. MMBC’s over 1,000 members have taken responsibility for the management of their packaging and printed paper at the end of its useful life, thereby reducing costs for communities and their taxpayers.