THE PULSE
NEWSLETTER OF THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF RECYCLING INDUSTRIES
VOLUME 19, No. 12, December 2014
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
As 2014 draws to a close, we reflect on the year’s successes and disappointments and look toward the year ahead. Unfortunately we cannot predict the future of the markets, but we can be certain that some aspects of our industry and the issues we face will continue into 2015.
It will come as no surprise that one of the issues that drew a large part of CARI’s focus was that of metal theft. Happily, we have had some successes this year in limiting or eliminating proposed regulations that would have penalized the scrap dealers and not the thieves.
Nova Scotia was the first province to set regulations on this issue, and CARI worked with the government to reduce the resulting burden on scrap dealers. In April, thanks in part to the CARI’s efforts and particularly to CARI’s Maritime Board member Jonathan Ross, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Finance and Treasury Board ended the regulations that she said “would have unfairly penalized Nova Scotia’s scrap metal sector.”
On the municipal side of the issue, the City of Prince George, B.C. removed scrap dealers from its Second-Hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers bylaw, which included 30 day tag-and-hold restrictions. Through a legal representative CARI and member Allen’s Scrap & Salvage helped the city understand the undue burden such restrictions would place on scrap metal businesses.
These successes have not stopped other provinces and municipalities from attempting to adopt similar legislation. We have seen the issue progress in Alberta and Quebec over the past year, and expect other provinces and municipalities will not be far behind. However, these examples may help CARI guide policy-makers when they next attempt to “solve” the issue of metal theft with wrongly focussed regulations.
As always, CARI encourages members to work with local law enforcement and other stakeholders to identify stolen property. Make use of the www.ScrapTheftAlert.com website as necessary. If you suspect material coming into your yard may be illegitimate, check the website for material with a similar description. When you are approached by law enforcement regarding stolen material, direct them to CARI’s representative Tracy Shaw ([email protected]) to issue an alert.
We know better than to believe the problem of metal theft can be truly solved, but we hope that our message of punishing the thieves and not the legitimate businesses will continue to gain ground in the coming year.
Adam Chisick,
CARI Chair
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CARI Chair Adam Chisick, CARI staff Donna, Tracy, and Mark, 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 Canadian government has withdrawn a proposed plan for the mandatory recycling of compact fluorescent light bulbs. Instead, the government posted regulations for a voluntary code of practice for companies that sell the bulbs, and limiting the amount of mercury in the compact fluorescent light bulbs. The voluntary code of practice will be released in 2015.
- The Government of Ontario rejected a proposed Industry Stewardship Plan for single-use and rechargeable batteries, claiming it would have a negative impact on the existing “single-use battery post-collection marketplace.”
- Gerdau has developed a new steel for use in the automotive sector. The high-strength, low-alloy steel will be used in ball pins in a vehicle’s steering system. The product is intended to improve the competitiveness of Brazil’s automotive sector.
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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
French