THE
PULSE
Newsletter of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries
Volume 19, No. 8, August 2014
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Last month I told members that there were exciting changes on CARI’s horizon. I am pleased to announce that one of these changes has already come to pass: CARI has a brand new website.
The new site will help CARI communicate better to policy-makers, media and the public, giving a stronger voice to the Canadian recycling industry. More importantly, the new site allows for improved communication with CARI members. Members now have easier access to industry information and to association tools and benefits. Over the coming months we intend to add more features to the site, including improvements to the online CARI directory, and electronic payment options for our events.
CARI’s methods of communication are not limited to newsletters and websites; connecting in-person is still the best manner of reaching members. That is why CARI puts together networking events like our recent National Golf Tournament, our Consumers’ Night, and local chapter meetings every year.
I believe communication is of utmost importance, both from the Association to its members and vice versa. I am pleased to say we will once again be giving members a chance to connect to one another and to CARI staff and board members at this year’s fall chapter meetings. Meeting dates have now been finalized and the details are listed below; please contact your local representative to register. I will be attending each of the meetings and I hope to meet many of you there.
CARI staff put a great deal of work into preparing events and information for the benefit of members, but what benefits you most is your participation. Reading the newsletters and attending the events will give you the greatest value for membership. If you’re not enjoying these benefits, let us know. If there are better ways to reach you, let us know. Communication only works when the other party can hear you, so I encourage members to speak to CARI staff about how you want to stay connected.
Adam Chisick
CARI Chair
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FALL CHAPTER MEETINGS
The following dates have been confirmed; to register please contact your chapter representative.
BC CHAPTER
September 8 – River Rock Resort and Casino, Richmond B.C.
6PM Cocktails, 7PM Dinner
$75 for members; $100 for non-members, Contact Hussein Lalani at 778-996-8877 to register
ALBERTA CHAPTER
September 9 – Deerfoot Inn & Casino, Calgary, Alberta
6PM Cocktails, 7PM Dinner
$80, Contact Dan Klufas to register
PRAIRIE CHAPTER
September 10 – Hy’s Steakhouse, 1 Lombard Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba
6PM Cocktails, 7PM Dinner
Contact Adam Chisick to register
ATLANTIC CHAPTER
September 11 – Alt Hotel Halifax Airport, 40 Sliver Dart Drive, Enfield, Nova Scotia
6PM Cocktails, 7PM Dinner
$60, Contact Angela Tracey at 902-450-5633 to register
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FAST FACTS
- The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) has released a progress report on its 2009 EPR action plan. The Council reports a number of challenges in implementing the plan, including the issue of harmonization, direct-to-consumer sales, and eco-fees. The report says some jurisdictions had existing programs in place for Phase 1 regulated materials that were already successfully achieving the intended outcomes, making the transition to an EPR framework difficult. Currently nine out of 10 provinces have legislated EPR programs or requirements. The council expects some jurisdictions will be unable to implement programs for some Phase 1 materials by the 2015 target date, and says it now recognizes EPR may not be the right approach for certain Phase 2 materials. The full report is available here.
- Results of an online poll taken by ISRI and Earth 911 indicate 65% of consumers do not understand what is acceptable when recycling plastics. Consumers were confused by how much food contamination is acceptable, what types of plastics were accepted in their curbside recycling programs, and by the meaning of resin codes. ISRI is developing plastic scrap specifications and will host educational workshops for the industry. The association is also partnering with other stakeholders to address this issue of redefining the resin 1-7 code numbers.
- ISRI has released its Scrap Specifications Circular 2014, which includes the new grade “thorn-aluminum breakage” indicating aluminum with miscellaneous contaminants such as iron, dirt, and plastic. The new grade must contain a minimum of 33% aluminum unless otherwise agreed upon by buyer and seller.
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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