THE PULSE
NEWSLETTER OF THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF RECYCLING INDUSTRIES
Vol. 20, Issue 8, December 2015
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
As the end of 2015 nears and we prepare for the holidays, business may be winding down slightly. However, from a policy perspective and for CARI staff, December has been anything but a slow month. At the moment, CARI staff is engaged in consultation processes spanning multiple levels of government.
At the provincial level, Ontario policy makers have proposed an omnibus bill, called the Waste Free Ontario Act, which supports a strategy for transitioning to a circular economy. The bill aims to eliminate emissions from waste, encourage design for recycling, and create a new producer responsibility regime, among other objectives. Comments on the bill will be accepted until February 24, 2016. CARI will be making a submission, and you can expect to see more updates on relevant areas of the proposed legislation in the New Year.
As mentioned in previous communications, changes have also been proposed to Ontario’s current ELV disposal site regulations and CARI staff worked with many members to compile and submit comments regarding areas of concern.
National policy makers have recently proposed amendments to the Export and Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Materials Regulations to meet obligations set out by the Basel Convention. CARI has been monitoring this situation for any problematic changes to definitions of materials, and for any new import and export requirements.
Internationally, CARI is involved in the eleventh round of consultations with other World Trade Organization (WTO) members to negotiate the potential reduction or elimination of trade barriers to environmental goods and services.
As always, I encourage you to stay informed, be proactive, and to get in touch with CARI staff with any questions or concerns about policy changes, or any other business matters they may be able to help you with. CARI’s advocacy only stands to gain from your engagement and participation.
Looking ahead to 2016, there is plenty to be excited about. The year marks CARI’s 75th anniversary and we hope you will join us in celebrating this important milestone at our Annual Convention in Ottawa, Ontario, from June 9-11. Be on the lookout for more event information in upcoming newsletters.
Adam Chisick
CARI Chair
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CARI Chair Adam Chisick, CARI staff Donna, Marie, and Tracy, and the CARI Board of Directors wish every member, its employees, and their families a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
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FAST FACTS
- The City of Vancouver has decided to give responsibility for curbside recycling, for single and multi-family homes, to a non-profit organization formed to implement stewardship initiatives for residential packaging and paper, called Multi-Material BC (MMBC).
- China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection has once again focused on imported plastics, increasing scrutiny on the quality of shipped materials, and evaluating whether processors are adhering to their individual licences. Recalling a similar action taken by the Chinese government in 2013, some in the plastics business feel they are prepared to deal with the possibility of China rejecting shipped loads.
- BIR President Ranjit Baxi spoke about the benefits of recycling during a workshop at the COP21 meetings last week in Paris. Baxi highlighted the crucial role recycling plays in protecting the global climate, citing report findings that demonstrated CO2 savings from recycling were increasing.
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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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