How recycling is both handled and funded in Saskatchewan will both be changing.
New laws for regulating Printed Paper & Packaging waste have been passed as part of the Saskatchewan government's Multi-Material Recycling Program (MMRP), which take effect on Jan. 1, 2015. The legislation requires Saskatchewan businesses that sell or distribute packaged goods or paper to pay a fee to cover the cost of recycling these materials.
The program will be operated by Multi-Material Stewardship Western (MMSW), which developed a stewardship plan approved by the Minister of Environment, and aligned with The Household Packaging and Paper Stewardship Regulations.
The regulations identify the household materials that will be recycled, including printed paper, newsprint and cardboard, plastic, metal and glass packaging
Scott Moe, Minister of Environment told Yorkton This Week said the changes came about because municipalities were looking for changes which had one simple goal in mind "that it takes waste out of our landfills."
To that end it was previously announced Saskatchewan municipalities are getting a financial boost as they prepare to participate in the Multi-Material Recycling Program (MMRP).
A $500,000 grant will be provided to the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) to help eligible communities improve or implement recycling programs.
To be eligible for funding, municipalities will be assessed on their infrastructure needs and their demonstrated co-operation with other municipalities. The grant will cover up to 40 per cent of eligible project costs, while municipalities to fund the remaining portion. SUMA will administer the grant program.
"We appreciate the Ministry of Environment's ongoing support of recycling programs," SUMA President Debra Button said in a release at the time of the funding announcement. "This funding will help our growing communities get the infrastructure they need to meet their residents' recycling needs."
Since 2004-05, the province has granted more than $9.45 million to SUMA, the Association of Regional Waste Management Authorities of Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centers to support recycling efforts.
Moe said the recycling changes were made because municipalities were calling for them.
"They came at the request of municipalities to make some attempt to reduce landfills," he said, adding there were communication and discussion "with all stakeholders' through the process.
However not all stakeholders seem satisfied with what the government has come up with.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) released survey results recently showing "the majority of Saskatchewan small business owners already recycle (76 per cent) and they have serious concerns with the government's plan to create a new arms-length bureaucracy to administer recycling rules," stated a CFIB release.
"The government's decision to consult with small business owners before proceeding with its plan was smart because basic questions still haven't been answered," said Marilyn Braun-Pollon, CFIB's Vice- President, Prairie and Agri-business in the release.
New rules in Saskatchewan would require businesses that sell packaged goods or supply printed paper to Saskatchewan residents to measure it by weight and pay a still-to-be determined fee to a group called Multi-Material Stewardship Western (MMSW).
Moe said a detailed list of which materials will be in the program, and of possible exemptions for some small businesses will be available, adding each business will need to determine where it fits into the regulations.
One message coming from the CFIB survey is that the majority of businesses (70 per cent) do not support shifting the responsibility to collect funds for recycling to a new non-profit agency.
"Ninety per cent believe creating a new level of bureaucracy (MMSW) will unnecessarily increase the cost of recycling," stated the release.
"Only 17 per cent trust MMSW to be fair in creating rules and fees.
"Clearly, the whole thing needs to be rethought," said Marilyn Braun-Pollon, CFIB's Vice- President, Prairie and Agri-business in the release. "Giving taxing and regulating powers to an unaccountable group isn't consistent with this government's transparent approach to policy and should be abandoned
The Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association is also not pleased with the direction of the changes.
"At a time in which our industry is already under financial pressure, we are naturally concerned about any policy that could result in a new cost for the province's newspaper publishers. The CFIB survey indicates that Saskatchewan businesses share our concerns about the introduction of a costly and bureaucratic recycling regime," said SWNA president Peg Hasein.
"We have been working with the Government of Saskatchewan to make sure that they fully understand the likely impact of the proposed policy. We have appreciated their openness to discuss the concerns of Saskatchewan newspaper publishers and what's at stake for our communities. We will wait to see if they have been listening."
