Ontario appoints special advisor on recycling and plastic waste

Ontario has engaged David Lindsay as a Special Advisor on recycling and plastic waste. Mr. Lindsay will provide Rod Phillips, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, a report on how to tackle plastic waste and litter, improve recycling, increase products that can go into the blue box, and ensure producers are responsible for managing plastic and other packaging at end-of-life. The report will be delivered to Minister Phillips this summer. Learn more.

The first stage of this process is a mediation process to identify and develop common understanding of key operational issues that need to be addressed to provide a clear path for transition of the Blue Box Program to individual producer responsibility. After this mediation process, the government will consider the advice given and chart a path for Blue Box transition that will include further public consultation.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks will host a webinar with Mr. Lindsay on Thursday, June 20 from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. to provide an overview of the mediation process and timelines, and identify the key issues that will be discussed. The webinar will also provide details on how all stakeholders can provide input on the key issues, and be involved in the future regulatory development process.

If you are interested in participating in the webinar, please register with Tammy Nguyen, Policy Co-op, at Tammy.Nguyen2@ontario.ca or (416) 327-6380 by Wednesday, June 19. We will provide further meeting details for those who confirm their participation.

If you have any questions about the mediation process, please contact Marc Peverini, Senior Policy Analyst, Resource Recovery Policy Branch at Marc.Peverini@ontario.ca or (416) 908-1528.