Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ filtered results:

Program: Blue Box

Topic: Collection systems , General , PRO , Processor , Producer
Under the Blue Box Regulation, a packaging-like product is:

ordinarily used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery, presentation or transportation of things

ordinarily disposed of after a single use

not used as packaging when it is supplied to the consumer

Packaging-like products include aluminum foil, a metal tray, plastic film, plastic wrap, wrapping paper, a paper bag, beverage cup, plastic bag, cardboard box or envelope, but does not include a product made from flexible plastic that is ordinarily used for the containment, protection, or handling of food, such as cling wrap, sandwich bags, or freezer bags.

If a producer is unsure whether or not their product is a packaging-like product, they can ask themselves the following questions to help determine whether the product is obligated to be reported under the Blue Box Regulation:

Is the product actually packaging around a separate product?

If yes, the product is not a packaging-like product. Instead, the product is considered blue box packaging and must be reported as blue box material. If no, continue to the next question.

Is the product used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery, presentation or transportation of a thing(s)?

If no, the product is not a packaging-like product. If yes, continue to the next question.

Is the product typically disposed of after a single use (regardless if some may wash and reuse it)?

If no, the product is not a packaging-like product. If yes, continue to the next question.

Is the product made from flexible plastic that is for the containment, protection or handling of food?

If yes, the product is not a packaging-like product. If no, the product is a packaging-like product and must be reported as blue box material.

If a producer is still unsure whether or not their product is a packaging-like product, they should contact the Compliance and Registry Team at 833-600-0530 or registry@rpra.ca.
Program: Blue Box

Topic: Producer , Registration , Reporting
See our FAQs to understand “What are paper products?” and “What are packaging-like products?”.

For paper products and packaging-like products, a person is considered a producer:

if they are the brand holder of the paper product or packaging-like product and are resident in Canada

if no resident brand holder, they are resident in Ontario and import the paper product or packaging-like product from outside of Ontario

if no resident importer, they are the retailer that supplied the paper product or packaging-like product directly to consumers in Ontario

if the retailer who would be the producer is a marketplace seller, the marketplace facilitator is the obligated producer

if the producer is a business that is a franchise, the franchisor is the obligated producer, if that franchisor has franchisees that are resident in Ontario
Program: Blue Box

Topic: Management activities , PRO , Producer

A producer’s management requirement is how much Blue Box material they must ensure is collected and processed into recovered resources each year. Management requirements are calculated based on what they supplied into Ontario two years prior and the resource recovery percentage as set in the regulation. A producer’s management requirement is calculated separately for each Blue Box material category (beverage container, glass, flexible plastic, rigid plastic, metal and paper).

Some producer are exempt from having a management requirement based on their supply data, for more information on exemptions see the FAQ Are there exemptions for Blue Box producers? A producer that does not have a management requirement does not have any collection, management or promotion and education obligations.

A producer with a management requirement must also provide collection and promotion and education services in Ontario. Most producers will contract the services of a producer responsibility organization (PRO) to meet their collection, management and promotion and education obligations.

To view your management requirement(s), log into your registry account, download a copy of your Blue Box Supply Report and review the section with your minimum management requirements. Management requirement for a given year are determine by supply data from two years prior. For example, 2023 management requirements were based on 2021 supply data (submitted in producers’ 2022 Supply Report).

Unsure if you are a Blue Box producer? See our FAQs Am I a producer of Blue Box product packaging? And Am I a producer of paper products and packaging-like products?
Program: Blue Box

Topic: Collection systems , Collector , Producer
Yes, there are several newly obligated packaging/products under the Blue Box Regulation, including:

Unprinted paper

Packaging-like products, such as aluminum foil, metal trays, wrapping paper, paper bags, cardboard boxes and envelopes

Service accessories, such as straws, cutlery or plates that are supplied with a food or beverage product

Durable products, such as CD cases, box board for board games/puzzles and power tool cases

Note: Another change is that beverage containers are obligated regardless of the sector they are supplied into (personal, family, household, or business purposes).
Program: Blue Box

Topic: Collection systems , General , PRO , Processor , Producer
The following are the types of Blue Box Materials obligated under the Blue Box Regulation:

Blue box packaging (primary, transport, convenience, service accessories, ancillary elements)

Paper products

Packaging-like products