All businesses that use packaging or printed paper in BC – you are required to file a stewardship plan or appoint an agency on your behalf

October 26, 2012

Attention all businesses that use packaging or printed paper (PPP) in BC—you are required, under BC regulation, to file a stewardship plan or appoint an agency to act on your behalf

Your legal obligations in BC are changing. Important deadlines are pending.In May 2011, the Government of British Columbia amended its Recycling Regulation to include packaging and printed paper (PPP). Under this regulation, businesses (producers) that introduce PPP into the BC residential marketplace are required to submit a stewardship plan, or be part of a plan submitted on their behalf, by November 19, 2012. The plan is to take effect on May 19, 2014. Multi-Material British Columbia (MMBC) is a not-for-profit corporation established to discharge the legal obligations of PPP stewards (brand owners and first sellers). If you have not done so already, we strongly urge you to consider appointing MMBC as your agent to fulfil your obligations under the BC regulation by signing a Letter of Intent and returning it to MMBC atproducers@multimaterialbc.caby Monday November 5th.

A Draft Stewardship Plan has been prepared for your review.
A Draft Packaging and Printed Paper (PPP) Stewardship Plan is now available for review and consultation.

This stewardship plan, prepared by Multi-material British Columbia (MMBC), has been drafted to meet the requirements of the BC regulation, follow producer responsibility principles, be cost effective and, where possible, harmonize with existing provincial stewardship programs across Canada.

Highlights of the plan of interest to obligated businesses include the following sections:

3.1 and 3.2 Definition of packaging and printed paper (PPP) covered by the regulation
4.2 Description of the program delivery principles
4.3 Description of the responsibility MMBC will assume in PPP program delivery
4.10 Program financing – what businesses are responsible for funding and how those costs will be allocated

In addition to the Draft PPP Stewardship Plan, MMBC also has posted:

These documents provide producers with context when reviewing the Draft PPP Stewardship Plan but are not part of the plan.

Attend Next Week’s Consultation

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the stewardship plan and to participate in the consultation workshop/webcast taking place on Monday October 29, 2012 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. PST.  You can register to attend the workshop in person (at UBC Theatre, Robson Square, Vancouver, BC) or online by webcast. You are also encouraged to submit written comments on the draft plan to producers@multimaterialbc.ca by November 9th.  For further background information please refer to the October 5th letter to businesses and trade associations.

We look forward to receiving your comments and engaging in a discussion that will result in the design of a collection and recycling program for packaging and printed paper that maximizes recovery and efficiency and provides superior service to residents of British Columbia.

For additional information about MMBC and the plan, please visit www.multimaterialbc.ca.  If you have questions, please email them to: producers@multimaterialbc.ca.