Non-profit Multi-Material BC to ensure 1.25 million residents can recycle more than ever before
VANCOUVER, May 19, 2014 /CNW/ – Starting this week, Multi-Material BC (MMBC), a BC-based non-profit, officially assumed responsibility for financing and delivering recycling services for packaging and printed paper across the province. MMBC is responding on behalf of more than 900 companies that have stepped-up to meet the province’s new recycling regulation that shifts responsibility for recycling these materials from taxpayers to the businesses that produce them. Communities will see services rolling out between May and September of this year.
“This marks an important and exciting milestone for recycling in the province,” said Allen Langdon, Managing Director, Multi-Material BC. “MMBC member organizations, collectors and communities have been working tirelessly to have everything in place for our launch this week, and we are ready to deliver blue box residential recycling services to nearly 1.25 million British Columbians in 88 communities. We are looking forward to working in partnership with all those involved in delivering recycling services, and residents who are critical to helping us reach our goal of increasing recycling rates from 53 per cent to 75 per cent.”
Twenty communities, regions and First Nations will be receiving curbside blue box recycling for the first time, including:
– 100 Mile House – Penticton Indian Band
– 108 Mile Ranch – Port Hardy
– Coal Harbour (Vancouver Island) – Prince George
– Gitxaala Nation – Port McNeill
– Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che\;k’t’leset’h’First Nation – Quesnel
– Kaslo – Seton Lake Band
– Klahoose First Nation – Smithers
– Nak’azdli Band – Terrace
– Nakusp – Toquaht Nation
– Nicomen Indian Band – Upper Similkameen Indian Band
“We are proud of the fact that Port Moody already has one of the highest recycling rates in the world, and by being able to add new materials to our bins thanks to the MMBC program, we will be able to continue our commitment to being a leading green and sustainable community,” said Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay. “By putting the responsibility for paying for printed paper and packaging recycling back in the hands of industry members who create the products, we are also going to reduce the recycling utility fee by up to $57 per Port Moody household by 2015.”
The MMBC program will enable many BC residents to recycle new categories of packaging that are not included in many current curbside or depot recycling programs, including hot and cold take-out beverage cups, aerosol containers, milk cartons, plant pots, aluminum foil, and plastic film packaging. MMBC, on behalf of its more than 900 member businesses, is providing financial incentives to municipalities and First Nations to offset the cost of collecting recyclables from curbside or multi-family buildings, or to operate depots where residents can drop-off their recyclables.
MMBC is among more than 20 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs introduced in British Columbia over the past two decades, which has seen industry assume responsibility for end-of-life management of items such as beverage containers, electronics, paint, used oil, tires and batteries.
EPR programs shift responsibility for recycling items to the producers who created them. Similar programs for packaging and printed paper have been successfully implemented in Ontario, Manitoba, and Québec with other provinces expected to follow suit. For more information about recycling services and what can be recycled, please visit: www.RecyclingInBC.ca
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About MMBC
In May 2011, BC’s Recycling Regulation was updated to include packaging and printed paper. The regulation shifts the responsibility for managing the residential recycling of packaging and printed paper from regional and municipal governments and their taxpayers to business.
Multi-Material BC (MMBC) is a non-profit industry-led and financed organization that will assume responsibility for managing residential packaging and printed paper recycling on behalf of industry in May 2014.
More information, including lists of MMBC collectors and members, is available at www.multimaterialbc.ca
MMBC PROGRAM BACKGROUNDER
May 19, 2014
About MMBC
BC’s Recycling Regulation has been changed to shift responsibility for managing residential recycling of packaging and printed paper from local governments and taxpayers, to businesses that provide these materials to consumers. Under the BC Recycling Regulation, businesses that supply packaging and printed paper are now responsible for the cost of collecting, sorting and recycling these materials.
Multi-Material BC (MMBC) is a BC-based non-profit organization, funded by industry members, formed to develop and implement a residential recycling plan to meet the terms and obligations set out in the Recycling Regulation. Businesses that wish to have MMBC manage their obligation pay a membership fee, based on the volume of packaging and/or printed paper they supply into the residential waste stream, which in turn funds curbside, multi-family and depot recycling programs in communities across the province.
MMBC’s plan builds on existing collection infrastructure in BC communities and seeks to continuously improve service and accessibility for residents. In some communities, MMBC will manage recycling directly, beginning May 19, 2014. In others, MMBC will work with local governments, First Nations, private companies and non-profit organizations to deliver services. In either case, the program will enable BC residents to recycle new categories of packaging not commonly included in current curbside or depot recycling programs, including milk cartons, plant pots, aluminum foil packaging, plastic film, and drink cups.
Many communities will be receiving curbside recycling collection for the first time, diverting more items from landfill. In most areas, local governments will continue to provide collection services, meaning residents will not see any major changes, apart from being able to recycle a wider range of materials.
About Extended Producer Responsibility
MMBC is among more than 20 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs introduced in British Columbia over the past two decades. These programs require industry to assume responsibility for end-of-life management of items such as beverage containers, electronics, paint, used oil, tires and batteries. The concept behind EPR is to make businesses responsible for recovering and recycling the products they supply into the BC marketplace.
Key Program Facts
- The Recycling Regulation requires MMBC to achieve a 75% recovery rate for packaging and printed paper. Current recycling performance sits around the 53% mark.
- Residents will be able to recycle new categories of packaging that are not commonly included in current curbside or depot recycling programs:
- Milk and soup cartons
- Stroyofoam*
- Plastic plant pots
- Aluminum foil packaging
- Plastic bags and film
- Paper drink cups and lids
- The cost of recycling packaging and printed paper, previously paid for by municipalities and their taxpayers, is now the responsibility of industry.
- To view Frequently Asked Questions about the program, visit: http://recyclinginbc.ca/faq/
* (brand name for foam polystyrene)
What Can Be Recycled
The following categories of items are included in MMBC’s stewardship plan. Some items can be collected curbside, while others must be taken to a depot.
- Printed paper and paper packaging
- Plastic, aluminum or steel containers
- Glass bottles and jars
- Plastic bags and overwrap (depot only)
- Plastic foam packaging (depot only)
For a comprehensive list of materials that are accepted please visit: http://recyclinginbc.ca/program/can-recycled/
MMBC’s Members
MMBC’s members are retailers, restaurants, importers, manufacturers, distributers or wholesalers that supply packaging, and organizations such as insurance companies and banks that supply printed paper, such as statements, to BC residents. Visit http://multimaterialbc.ca/stewards/registered-list for a full list of member companies.
Communities Being Serviced
MMBC is providing residential curbside, multi-family building, and depot recycling services to over 1.25 million households across the province, either directly or through partnerships with municipalities, First Nations, and/or private companies.
For a list of communities being serviced, please visit http://www.multimaterialbc.ca/node/371
For depot locations, visit http://recyclinginbc.ca/mmbc-depots/
“The Cariboo Regional District is partnering with MMBC to improve recycling opportunities throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin. We feel this will be a positive development for our communities to increase recyclable materials and reduce the amount of waste going into our landfills.”
– Al Richmond, Chair, Cariboo Regional District
“Ensuring that every resident has access to recycling services is just one part of how our communities are looking at reducing our overall environmental footprint. This will be the first time Nak’azdli will work alongside public works staff from Fort St James. We are excited about this new partnership and the opportunity it presents for our communities.”
– Pete Erickson, Nak’azdli Band
“The City of Terrace welcomes MMBC’s curbside recycling program. It is important to see industry taking more accountability for the full life cycle of their products, and that communities, businesses and government are partnering to reduce waste.”
– Hon Dave Pernarowski, Mayor of Terrace
“Central Okanagan local governments are going to realize, through cost avoidances and revenue streams, about $3.5 million per year. That will directly result in reductions in taxes and utility bills for local residents amounting to approximately $55 per year per household.”
– Peter Rotheisler, Environmental Services Manager, Regional District of Central Okanagan
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Media Contact:
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