Industry and consumer groups pleased with Ontario Government's cancellation
of the July 1st MHSW program

OTTAWA, Oct. 12 /CNW/ - The Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association (CCSPA) and the Consumers Council of Canada (CCC) were pleased today with the Government of Ontario's announcement to permanently end the Municipal  Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) program regulations implemented on July 1, 2010, which had erroneously included soaps, detergents and cleaning products.

"The Government announced today consumers will not pay eco fees on products that they use up. We are very pleased that common sense has prevailed and consumers will not be charged for a program that they did not need," says Shannon Coombs, CCSPA President.

Empty soap, detergent and cleaning product containers have been recycled effectively since 2002, as part of the province's Blue Box program that is funded by municipal taxes and levies paid by brand owners.

"Consumers deserve a transparent program and Ontario's Minister of the Environment has recognized that consumer advocacy groups need to be at the table, which is again another positive aspect of the announcement today," says CCC President Don Mercer.

The Consumers Council of Canada (http://www.consumerscouncil.com) works collaboratively with consumers, business and government in support of consumers' rights and responsibilities, seeking an efficient, equitable, effective and safe marketplace for consumers. The Council is a member of the Canadian Consumer Initiative.

CCSPA (http://www.healthycleaning101.org) is a national trade association that represents 45 member companies across Canada that manufacture, process, package and distribute consumer, industrial and institutional specialty products, such as soaps and detergents, pest control products, aerosols, hard surface disinfectants, deodorizers and automotive chemicals.

For further information:

Shannon Coombs, CCSPA President, [phone] ext. 18, [email protected]
Don Mercer, CCC President, [phone], [email protected]