AMO Applauds Province of Ontario's Waste Diversion Strategy

TORONTO , Oct. 29 /CNW/ - The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) today welcomed the Report on the Waste Diversion Act Review released by John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment for Ontario. The report proposes a waste diversion strategy that would make manufacturers and importers more responsible for the recycling of their products and packaging.

"AMO has long advocated for legislative changes that require industry to manage their materials and packaging in a more sustainable way," said Peter Hume , AMO President. "Such changes encourage a better designed product at the front end of the process, and more easily recyclable products at the end of the lifecycle."

Currently in Ontario, producers of recyclable packaging pay only 50 per cent of the costs of managing their Blue Box materials, while the producers of other waste materials, such as electronics, tires, and municipal hazardous and special wastes, are fully accountable for managing these materials. The Government of Ontario's proposed strategy brings the Blue Box waste management plan in line with other waste management plans to create greater accountability in industry packaging and production.

Municipal governments and property taxpayers currently pay more than a quarter of a billion dollars to manage blue box materials each year.

"Holding industries accountable for the waste management costs related to their products and packaging is the most practical and effective means of reducing the amount of waste we create as a society," said Peter Hume . "AMO is very encouraged that the province is reviewing the Waste Diversion Act with a focus on incentives that promote smarter packaging and increase value for property tax payers."

The Report on the Waste Diversion Act Review proposes a practical approach to making industry responsible for the costs of the waste in its products. It includes reporting requirements and accountability measures, such as penalties for those who fail to meet their requirements, as well as flexibility to meet those responsibilities in the most efficient way possible for their businesses.

AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444 municipal governments. AMO supports strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada's political system.

For further information: Brian Lambie, AMO Media Contact: Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]