Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ filtered results:

• Program: Blue Box

  Topic: General , Registry , Reporting

  Toggle the submenu Where can I find resources related to the Blue Box Registry portal?

  Registry Resources such as Registry Procedures, Compliance Bulletins, and Reporting Guides can be found on our Blue Box Registry Resources webpage.

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• Program: Batteries , Blue Box , Excess Soil , Hazardous and Special Products , Hazardous Waste , ITT/AV , Lighting , Tires

  Topic: General , Registry

  Toggle the submenu Where can I find resources related to the use of the Registry?

  RPRA has developed a library of resources to support Registry users navigate the online system and meet their regulatory requirements. RPRA consistently adds to this pool of resources based on upcoming requirements, emerging needs, and questions we receive from stakeholders.

  View Registry resources for each program:

  • Batteries
  • Blue Box
  • Hazardous and Special Products
  • ITT/AV
  • Lighting
  • Tires
  • Excess Soil Registry
  • Hazardous Waste Program Registry

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• Program: Blue Box

  Topic: Management activities , PRO , Producer

  Toggle the submenu What are Blue Box management requirements?

  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?

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• Program: Batteries , Blue Box , Excess Soil , Hazardous and Special Products , Hazardous Waste , ITT/AV , Lighting , Tires

  Topic: RPRA Program and Registry Fees

  Toggle the submenu Why is RPRA suddenly collecting HST on fees?

  Starting January 1, 2023, RPRA will collect 13% HST on all fees at the time of fee payment.

  This decision is based on a ruling RPRA received from the CRA in which HST must be charged on its fees under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA). RPRA has determined that this ruling applies to all RRCEA producer responsibility programs and the Excess Soil and Hazardous Waste programs.

  On December 22, 2022, RPRA will reissue invoices that were issued prior to January 1, 2023, amended to indicate that 13% HST was paid. From December 22 onwards, registrants will be able to access the amended invoices in their Registry accounts under a new tab labelled “Invoices”. The amended invoice will show an HST amount as well as the date the amended invoice was reissued.

  Important notes:

  • On the amended invoices there have been no changes to the Invoice Total and registrants will not be required to pay any additional monies to RPRA for past invoices.
  • Registrants may be able to claim input tax credits for the HST collected on RPRA fees, for both the amended invoices and new invoices issued January 1, 2023, onwards. However, RPRA is not in a position to provide tax advice and suggests you consult your internal or external accountants to seek their counsel.
  • All new invoices issued effective January 1, 2023, will contain appropriate information identifying the amount of the HST and other relevant details. These invoices will also be displayed under the “Invoices” tab in a registrants’ Registry account.

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• Program: Blue Box , Hazardous and Special Products

  Topic: Collection systems , PRO , Processor , Producer

  Toggle the submenu Do I dispose of my empty paints cans, pesticides, solvents and fertilizers at Blue Box collection sites or HSP collection sites?

  Paints, pesticides, solvents fertilizers obligated under the HSP Regulation along with their primary packaging must be accepted at collection sites collecting the corresponding material. For instance, empty paint cans and pesticide aerosols obligated under the HSP Regulation must be accepted at collection sites collecting paint and pesticides.

  See our FAQ to understand “Under the HSP Regulation, is the packaging of antifreeze, pesticides, solvents, paints and coatings obligated?” and “Are containers that are obligated under the HSP Regulation obligated as Blue Box materials?“

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• Program: Batteries , Blue Box , Hazardous and Special Products , ITT/AV , Lighting , Tires

  Topic: Producer , Registry

  Toggle the submenu What is the difference between an account admin, a primary and a secondary user in the Registry portal?

  Account admins have access to all information within a registrant’s account. They can create and assign primary and secondary users’ access to the account, edit and submit reports, and pay fees. They are the only ones who can manage PROs.  Account admins can view all activities users undertake. They will also be the recipient of emails from the Registry portal.

  Primary users can only assign secondary users’ access to the account, edit and submit reports and pay fees.

  Secondary users can only edit and submit reports and pay fees.

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• Program: Batteries , Blue Box , Hazardous and Special Products , ITT/AV , Lighting , Tires

  Topic: Producer

  Toggle the submenu Who is a brand holder?

  A brand is any mark, word, name, symbol, design, device or graphical element, or a combination thereof, including a registered or unregistered trademark, which identifies a product and distinguishes it from other products.

  A brand holder is a person who owns or licenses a brand or otherwise has rights to market a product under the brand.

  Note:

  • If there are two or more brand holders, the producer most directly connected to the production of the material is the brand holder.
  • If more than one material produced by different brand holders are marketed as a single package, the producer who is more directly connected to the primary product in the package is the brand holder.

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• Program: Batteries , Blue Box , Excess Soil , Hazardous and Special Products , Hazardous Waste , ITT/AV , Lighting , Tires

  Topic: Producer , Registration , Registry , Reporting , RPRA Program and Registry Fees

  Toggle the submenu How do I pay my fees to RPRA by electronic data interchange (EDI)?

  If you select electronic data interchange (EDI) as your method of payment, this is an electronic payment through your bank, also commonly known as EFT or ACH.

  Follow these steps to complete your payment:

  1. Submit your payment using RPRA’s banking information provided on your invoice.
  2. Be sure to reference your Invoice Number when you submit this payment to your bank so that we will be able to identify your payment.

  Please note:

  • Registry invoices are considered due on receipt.
  • Invoices are in CAD funds and payments must be sent in CAD.
  • It may take 1-2 weeks for your payment to be reflected in your Registry account once you have completed it.

  If you have questions relating to fee payment, contact our Compliance and Registry Team at registry@rpra.ca or call 647-496-0530 or toll-free at 1-833-600-0530.

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• Program: Batteries , Blue Box , Excess Soil , Hazardous and Special Products , Hazardous Waste , ITT/AV , Lighting , Tires

  Topic: Producer , Registration , Registry , Reporting , RPRA Program and Registry Fees

  Toggle the submenu How do I pay my fees to RPRA by cheque?

  If you select cheque as your method of payment, follow these steps to complete your payment:

  1. Make your cheque payable to “Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority”
  2. Enter your Invoice Number on the memo line of the cheque
  3. Please send your cheque to*:

  • • Resource Productivity Recovery Authority
    • PO Box 46114, STN A
    • Toronto, ON
    • M5W 4K9

  *As of January 20, 2023, the address for mailing cheques to RPRA has been revised. Please update your records and send cheques to the above address going forward.

  Please note:

  • Registry invoices are considered due on receipt.
  • Invoices are in CAD funds and payments must be sent in CAD.
  • It may take 2-4 weeks for your payment to be reflected in your Registry account once you have mailed your cheque due to mail and cheque processing times.

  If you have questions relating to fee payment, contact our Compliance and Registry Team at registry@rpra.ca or call 647-496-0530 or toll-free at 1-833-600-0530.

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• Program: Batteries , Blue Box , Excess Soil , Hazardous and Special Products , Hazardous Waste , ITT/AV , Lighting , Tires

  Topic: Producer , Registration , Registry , Reporting , RPRA Program and Registry Fees

  Toggle the submenu How do I pay my fees to RPRA by bank withdrawal (pre-authorized debit)?

  If you select bank withdrawal as your method of payment, this authorizes the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority to make a one-time withdrawal for the Registry invoice payment from the account you provided.

  Bank Withdrawal – Important Terms:

  • You have authorized RPRA to make one-time debits from your account. RPRA will obtain your authorization before any additional one-time or sporadic withdrawal is debited from your account. You have agreed that this confirmation may be provided at least three (3) calendar days before the first payment is withdrawn from your account. You have waived any and all requirements for pre-notification of the account being debited.
  • Your payments are being made on behalf of a business.
  • Your agreement may be cancelled provided notice is received thirty (30) days before the next withdrawal. If any of the above details are incorrect, please contact us immediately at the contact information below. If the details are correct, you do not need to do anything further and your Pre-Authorized Debits (PAD) will be processed. You have certain recourse rights if any debit does not comply with these terms. For example, you have the right to receive a reimbursement for any PAD that is not authorized or is not consistent with this PAD Agreement. To obtain more information on your recourse rights, contact your financial institution or visit www.payments.ca.

  Please note:

  • Registry invoices are considered due on receipt.
  • Invoices are in CAD funds and payments must be sent in CAD.
  • It may take 1-2 weeks for the involved banks to process your payment.

  If you have questions relating to fee payment, contact our Compliance and Registry Team at registry@rpra.ca or call 647-496-0530 or toll-free at 1-833-600-0530.

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