1.3 What is the legislative framework?
In Canada, there are over 80 provincial stewardship programs for products ranging from used oil, electronics and paint to pharmaceuticals, beverages and service packaging — and more are in the planning stages. Each province has developed a different policy framework for product stewardship. Some have evolved organically while others have introduced a framework by design. Most have enabling legislation with material-specific regulations. The following table outlines the regulatory authority for each of the PPP stewardship programs supported by Circular Materials:
| Regulatory Framework | British Columbia |
Saskatchewan | Manitoba | Ontario |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legislation | Environmental Management Act | The Environmental Management & Protection Act | The Waste Reduction & Prevention Act | Waste Diversion Transition Act Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act* |
| Regulation | BC Recycling Regulation | The Household Packaging & Paper Stewardship Program Regulations | Packaging & Paper Product Stewardship Regulation | |
| Stewardship Organization | Recycle BC | Multi-Material Stewardship Western | Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba | Stewardship Ontario |
| Steward Obligation Share | 100% | 75% | 80%**1 | 50%*2 |
| Year of Program Implementation | 2014 | 2016 | 2010 | 2004 |
**[1] Please note that MMSM has been directed by the Manitoba Minister of Conservation and Climate to develop a Transition Plan to full producer responsibility which will require stewards to assume full operational and financial responsibility for the Manitoba residential recycling system from the current 80% obligation. Please read more here.
*[2] On November 30, 2016, the Ontario Government proclaimed the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA) and the Waste Diversion Transition Act, 2016 (WDTA) which replaces the Waste Diversion Act (WDA). Under the RRCEA, stewards will assume full producer responsibility for designated materials distributed to consumers in Ontario. As directed by the Minister, Stewardship Ontario prepared a Wind-up Plan for the current Blue Box program which was approved by the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority in December 2020. The new Blue Box Regulation, released on June 3, 2021, supports the transition of Ontario’s Blue Box program to a full producer responsibility model between 2023 and 2025. https://stewardshipontario.ca/bluebo...d-fee-setting/. For information on how the transition to full producer responsibility in Ontario may impact your business please refer to the RPRA website here.