EPR in Canada

Canada has participated in international dialogues on Extended Producer Responsibility, but has not implemented any national programs. At the provincial level, British Columbia, one of Canada’s western provinces, has implemented some of the most farreaching take back programs in all of North America. Also, the Canadian Auto Worker's (CAW) Windsor Regional Environment Council has initiatived a campaign (which has been adopted by the national CAW) petitioning the federal government to adopt EPR for vehicles.

To sign the petition and find out more information, please visit: www.caw.ca/whatwedo/health&safety/index.asp

Find out what computer companies in Canada are planning to do about junked computers and printers. These multinational companies operating in Canada have pledged not to ship electronic waste overseas to non-OECD countries, have pledged not to use prison labor in recycling operations, and have agreed that industry should shoulder most of the responsibility for end-of-life product managment. Visit their website at www.epsc.ca

EPR in British Columbia

In the early 1980s, the provincial government of British Columbia, assessed that household products and vehicles were major contributors to the household hazardous waste (HHW) stream: paint made up of 70% HHW; solvents/thinners/fuels: 17%; and domestic pesticides: 7%. Together these products accounted for 94% of the HHW stream, all of which was paid for by taxpayers. The provincial government therefore adopted EPR programs for producers and users of products that created the problem waste. These products included paints, solvents and flammable liquids, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, tires, and lubricating oil.

Specific EPR programs include:

• In 1992 the province enacted the Return of Used Lubricating Oil Regulation mandating all sellers of oil to take back used oil at no charge to the consumer, either at the point of sale or arranged through a third party collection facility.

• In 1997 the provincial government enacted the Beverage Container Stewardship Program, which requires all brand owners of ready-to-drink beverages (with the exception of milk products) provide collection programs for returned containers under a deposit refund system. The regulation has stipulated that brand owners achieve an 85% recovery rate, whereby redeemed containers must be either refilled or recycled.

• The Post-Consumer Residual Stewardship Program Regulation mandates producer take back for solvents/flammable liquids, gas, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. The collection program is funded through eco fees, which are managed by an industry funded third party organization that handles collection and recycling responsibilities for brand owners. Eco fees increase the price of the product and are listed separately, so the consumer knows that a percentage of the product cost is going towards end-of-life recovery.

• The Post-Consumer Paint Stewardship Program Regulation uses eco fees to fund the collection and recycling program for paints.

For more information on British Columbia’s EPR programs visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/ips/index.html