Frequently Asked Questions

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• Program: Blue Box

  Topic: Collection systems , General , PRO , Processor , Producer

  Toggle the submenu What is blue box product packaging?

  Under the Blue Box Regulation, blue box product packaging includes:

  • Primary packaging is for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of a product at the point of sale, including all packaging components, but does not include convenience packaging or transport packaging (e.g., film and cardboard used to package a 24-pack of water bottles and the label on the water bottle).
  • Transportation packaging which is provided in addition to primary packaging to facilitate the handling or transportation of one or more products such as a pallet, bale wrap or box, but does not include a shipping container designed for transporting things by road, ship, rail or air.
  • Convenience packaging includes service packaging and is used in addition to primary packaging to facilitate end users’ handling or transportation of one or more products. It also includes packaging that is supplied at the point of sale by food-service or other service providers to facilitate the delivery of goods and includes items such as bags and boxes that are supplied to end users at check out, whether or not there is a separate fee for these items.
  • Service accessories are products supplied with a food or beverage product and facilitate the consumption of that food or beverage product and are ordinarily disposed of after a single use, whether or not they could be reused (e.g., a straw, cutlery or plate).
  • Ancillary elements are integrated into packaging (directly hung or attached to packaging) and are intended to be consumed or disposed of with the primary packaging. Ancillary elements help the consumer use the product. Examples of ancillary packaging include a mascara brush forming part of a container closure, a toy on the top of candy acting as part of the closure, devices for measuring dosage that form part of a detergent container cap, or the pouring spout on a juice or milk carton.

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• Program: Blue Box

  Topic: Collection systems , General , PRO , Processor , Producer

  Toggle the submenu What are packaging-like products?

  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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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

  Topic: Collection systems , Management activities , PRO

  Toggle the submenu What is a PRO?

  A producer responsibility organization (PRO) is a business established to contract with producers to provide collection, management, and administrative services to help producers meet their regulatory obligations under the Regulation, including:

  • Arranging the establishment or operation of collection and management systems (hauling, recycling, reuse, or refurbishment services)
  • Establishing or operating a collection or management system
  • Preparing and submitting reports

  PROs operate in a competitive market and producers can choose the PRO (or PROs) they want to work with. The terms and conditions of each contract with a PRO may vary.

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• Program: Tires

  Topic: Hauler , Registration

  Toggle the submenu Am I a tire hauler?

  You are a tire hauler if you arrange for the transport of tires used in Ontario to a site for processing, reuse, retreading or disposal.

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• Program: Tires

  Topic: Collection systems , Municipalities

  Toggle the submenu How does the Tires Regulation affect municipalities?

  There is no requirement for a municipality to establish a tire collection site. Furthermore, municipalities that collect used tires are exempt from the requirement to register with RPRA as a collector or submit reports.

  Although municipalities are not required to register as collectors, used tires from these sites can be used by producers to meet their collection requirements, provided they are picked up by a registered hauler and delivered to a registered processor or retreader.

  To ensure tires continue to be picked up, municipalities will need to make sure those sites are included in the collection systems established by tire producers or Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs). Since most producers will work with PROs to establish their collection systems, municipalities should contact a registered PRO. Visit our webpage about PROs  for more information.

  If you operate collection sites after December 31, 2018 the sites must accept, at a minimum:

  • Passenger and light truck tires
  • Up to 10 passenger and light truck tires per day from any person
  • Tires on rims.
  • The site must also be operated and accept tires during normal business hours (i.e., during the hours your site is open to residents).

  If you choose not to operate a tire collection site, you can redirect residents to a registered collection site. A full list of registered collection sites is available on RPRA’s website.

  Note that a municipality that hauls tires is required to register as a hauler. Should a municipality take the tires to a registered collection site, this does not mean they become a hauler. A hauler must be taking tires to a site for processing, reuse, retreading or disposal.

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