THE PULSE
NEWSLETTER OF THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF RECYCLING INDUSTRIES
Vol. 22, Issue 4, April 2017
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Preventing burdensome, ineffective metals theft legislation aimed at scrap dealers is one of my top priorities as CARI’s Chair, and is a cause I’ve been heavily involved with for years. Last month, Alberta lawmakers abandoned one such piece of draft legislation.
Government of Alberta lawyers did not pursue draft legislation that placed the onus of catching thieves on scrap dealers. They did not feel it adequately addressed the needs of all of the stakeholders in the metal theft equation, or that it would mitigate theft to begin with. This is a very positive outcome for our industry and one we should celebrate.
For several years, I have collaborated with a working group called PEPS (the Provincial Electricity Physical Security Group) in Alberta, which is made up of members from the construction, communication, and electricity sectors; law enforcement; policymakers; and Government of Alberta lawyers. The group was formed to tackle metal theft in the province, and although this recent draft legislation demonstrates stakeholders still believe these types of laws are needed, more and more discussions about how to mitigate theft and protect critical infrastructure are taking place.
This recent success demonstrates it is essential for our industry to build relationships with stakeholders so that we can convey that metal recyclers are not at the root of the metal theft problem.
Our perspective is critical for understanding metal theft as a whole, and is one that needs to be shared across Canada. Having learned about my work with PEPS, Hydro One in Ontario has asked that I speak about the recycling industry’s perspective at their upcoming Annual Metal Theft Seminar, which I will attend with CARI President, Tracy Shaw, at the end of May.
We will continue to monitor metal theft legislation developments, and as always, we encourage you to work with local law enforcement and businesses to help identify stolen property, and to contact us if you’d like to discuss metal theft issues.
Dan Klufas,
CARI Chair
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ONTARIO POLICY UPDATE
Ontario Tire Stewardship will be the first of four waste diversion programs to be wound down and replaced under The Waste-Free Ontario Act. Glen Murray, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change has given the stewardship program until October 31 to submit a wind-up plan for the total cessation of operations by December 31, 2018.
CARI staff continues to follow Waste-Free policy developments, and President Tracy Shaw will attend a meeting in early May hosted by the Recycling Council of Ontario focussing on supply chain efficiency, procurement, and buying power in the circular economy.
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GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY
BIR has launched an international initiative to organize a Global Recycling Day:
The aim of this initiative is to dramatically increase the visibility of the international recycling industry and vigorously highlight the important contribution of recycling to climate change mitigation and the protection of our planet. As a result, political decision makers, other industrial sectors and the public will be aware of who we are and how the recycling industry benefits society.
CARI supports this initiative and encourages members to visit the website, read the brochure, and sign the online petition to help make Global Recycling Day a reality.
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CARI IN THE NEWS
Recycling Product News recently published an article on the international ferrous market by CARI President Tracy Shaw. Read the full article here.
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FAST FACTS
- President Trump’s administration recently sent a draft letter to Congress concerning NAFTA renegotiations. The letter outlined a list of priorities and promised to work closely with Congress. Once Congress has revised the list of priorities, a formal notice to renegotiate may then be issued. Trump’s administration must spend a minimum of 90 days consulting with lawmakers before formal talks could begin between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- Four major U.S. steel producers have filed petitions over unfair imports of carbon and steel wire rod. Gerdau Ameristeel US Inc., Nucor Corp., Keystone Consolidated Industries Inc., and Charter Steel allege that between 2014 and 2016, 10 countries dumped wire rod into the U.S. at prices that significantly undercut the market.
- Multi-Material BC (MMBC) has rebranded itself as Recycle BC. The rebranding was undertaken to draw the public’s attention to recycling, and to promote best practices and the environmental benefits of recycling. Recycle BC is funded by more than 1,200 businesses in BC, and is responsible for residential packaging and printed paper recycling services throughout the province.
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Canadian Association of Recycling Industries
130 Albert Street Suite 1906
Ottawa, On K1P 5G4
Canada
Telephone: 613-728-6946
Fax: 705-835-6196
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