Chestermere city council carried a motion on May 21 where residents who contribute to paper and packaging waste will take greater responsibility for the end of life costs.
During the 2018 Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) Convention and the Recycling Council of Alberta Conference, the Minister of Environment and Parks indicated that municipalities need to support an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) paper and packaging program.
“The program requires those who produce paper and packaging waste to be responsible for its end of life,” said Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Bernie Morton.
Following the best practices in waste management, getting the best value for taxpayers, and caring for the environment is important to the City of Chestermere.
As the city prepares for life post Chestermere Utilities Incorporated (CUI), recent challenges in the recycling sector, such as a decline in commodity prices, and higher costs to process and dispose of waste has the city rethinking waste and recycling practices.
The province will institute the EPR program where they pay into a fund which is administered through an organization with a committee, chair, and board.
“The funds that are paid from the producers of the waste would then be distributed appropriately to municipalities to offset the cost of dealing with end of life waste,” Morton said.
He added the EPR program would be beneficial to Chestermere to offset the costs of the landfill and multi-recycling facilities, as waste produced in Chestermere is sent to Calgary.
“This program will shift the costs of managing recyclable materials from municipalities to producers,” Morton said.
Chestermere Councillor Cathy Burness said she agrees with the purpose of the program.
“This is a wonderful initiative, and I can’t wait, it’s long overdue in general,” Burness said.
Morton added, “It is challenging for residents and municipalities to do their part when producers are creating products that are difficult or expensive to recycle and have an abundance of over-packaging.”
The city aims to help create an EPR program which will make it easier for everyone to do their part to reduce waste.
Currently, Chestermere city council has directed administration to work with other municipalities through AUMA, producers, and recyclers to develop a program for the EPR program, along with researching the benefits of the program.
A report will be presented to council regarding the benefits, challenges, and risks of an EPR program for the province, constituents, the current recycling system, and supply chains no later than October of this year.
“Alberta is behind many other provinces in this area, and it is time for us to take a better and more effective approach,” Morton said.