Ontario Government fails to remove soaps, detergents and cleaning products
from Ontario's MHSW program

OTTAWA, July 20 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association (CCSPA) and the Consumers Council of Canada (CCC) renewed their call on the Government of Ontario to officially repeal their regulation and remove soaps, detergents and cleaning products from the province's Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) program during the review in the next 90 days.

"The Government announced today consumers will not pay eco fees, but unless the Government repeals its regulation and the program plan, the fees are still there and still mandatory," says Shannon Coombs, CCSPA President.

"Stating the eco fee has been 'dropped at retail' doesn't make it go away," Coombs says. "Consumers cannot avoid these fees because they apply to all products captured in the program. Unless these non-hazardous products are removed, consumers will still be charged for a disposal program they do not need."

"Consumers deserve a transparent program and one that does not needlessly take money out of their pockets for a service they don't use. Consumers do not throw out half-empty containers of soap or detergent," says CCC President Don Mercer.

"We will be working tirelessly with the Government, consumer groups and tax advocates to ensure these products are officially removed from the program. We are confident that common sense will prevail and consumers will only have to pay once. Soaps, detergents and cleaning products manufactured by CCSPA member companies are not hazardous waste," Coombs says

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.

The Consumers Council of Canada (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 (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, [email protected]