Posted on June 3, 2021 by Jess Turchet -
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.
Posted on June 3, 2021 by Jess Turchet -
Under the Blue Box Regulation, paper products include printed and unprinted paper, such as a newspaper, magazine, greeting cards, calendars (promotional or purchased), notebooks and daily planners, promotional material, directory, catalogue or paper used for copying, writing or any other general use.
Hard or soft cover books and hardcover periodicals are not considered paper products.
Posted on June 3, 2021 by Karan M -
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 [email protected].
Posted on January 19, 2021 by Emma Chothani -
Producers are required to establish and operate a collection system for ITT/AV that meets the accessibility requirements in the regulation. Producers must ensure that all ITT/AV collected is managed regardless of what their minimum management requirements are.
Producers have the choice of establishing and operating their own collection and management systems or working with one or more producer responsibility organizations (PROs) registered with the Authority to meet their obligations.
Please contact the Compliance Team at 833-600-0530 or [email protected] to discuss other requirements under the EEE Regulation.
Posted on January 19, 2021 by Emma Chothani -
Producers are required to establish and operate a collection system for batteries that meets the accessibility requirements in the regulation. Producers must ensure that all batteries collected are managed regardless of their minimum management requirements.
For producers to meet their obligations, they have the choice of establishing and operating their own collection and management system or working with one or more producer responsibility organizations (PROs) that are registered with the Authority.
Please contact the Compliance Team at 833-600-0530 or [email protected] to discuss other requirements under the Batteries Regulation.
Posted on July 17, 2020 by Uju Ani -
Tire collection sites are established to facilitate the responsible recycling and management of used tires. The types of tires accepted at these sites include, but are not limited to:
Examples of Accepted Tires:
- Automobile tires (cars, SUVs, light-duty trucks)
- Motorcycle tires
- Motor assisted bicycle tires (e.g., mopeds, non-kick scooters)
- Tractor tires
- Tires on industrial and agricultural vehicles and equipment
- Transport truck tires
- Trailer tires (e.g., boat trailers, RVs)
- All-terrain vehicle (ATV) tires
- Riding lawn mower tires
- Aircraft tires (if not supplied on an aircraft)
- Snow blower tires
- Small tires (1 kg to <5 kg), such as:
- Wheelbarrow tires
- Dolly tires
Examples of Tires That Are Not Accepted:
- Bicycle tires (muscle-powered)
- Stroller and kick scooter tires (non-motorized)
- Power-assisted bicycle tires (e.g., electric bicycles)
- Personal mobility device tires (e.g., wheelchairs, medical scooters)
Tires can be dropped off on or off the rim. Collection sites must accept tires on rims.
Posted on July 17, 2020 by Emma Chothani -
No. RPRA does not administer contracts or provide incentives. Under the Regulations, producers will either work with a producer responsibility organization (PRO) or work directly with collection sites, haulers, refurbisher’s and/or processors to meet their collection and management requirements. Any reimbursement for services provided towards meeting a producers’ collection and management requirements will be determined through commercial contracts.
To discuss any payment, contact your service provider or a PRO. RPRA does not set the terms of the contractual arrangements between PROs and producers.
Posted on July 17, 2020 by Monica Ahmed -
Collection sites are required to accept used tires that are of similar rim size and weight as the new tires (or tires on new vehicles) that they sell. Use the Authority’s Find a Collection Site map to find a drop-off location and call ahead to confirm that the collection site will accept your tires.
Posted on July 17, 2020 by Michelle Hoover -
A producer responsibility organization (PRO) is a person retained by a producer for the purpose of carrying out one or more of the following producer regulatory responsibilities:
- Arranging for the establishment or operation of collection or management systems
- Establishing or operating a collection or management system
- Preparing and submitting reports
In addition, under the Hazardous and Special Products regulation, a PRO includes a person retained by a producer for the purpose of:
- Implementing a promotion and education program
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.
How do I find a PRO?
Here are the lists of registered PROs:
These lists will continue to be updated as new PROs register with RPRA.
See our FAQ What is the difference between a PRO and a prospective PRO?
Posted on July 17, 2020 by Monica Ahmed -
A producer responsibility organization (PRO) is not necessarily required to include each and every collection site in Ontario in their collection system. However, producers and PROs acting on their behalf are required to establish and operate a collection system that meets the requirements of the Tires Regulation.
If a collection site operator is unable to be included in a collection system, the operator should contact RPRA’s Compliance Team at [email protected], 647-496-0530 or toll free at 1-833-600-0530 for assistance.
Read Compliance Bulletin – Tire Collection Systems for more information. The contact information for all registered PROs is available on the producer responsibility organization webpage.
Posted on July 17, 2020 by Michelle Hoover -
No. Producers and PROs working on their behalf must operate the collection and management systems they have established as required by the Regulation even after their minimum management requirements are met.
Posted on July 17, 2020 by Monica Ahmed -
No. If a municipality has a private company operating a site on their behalf, the company is not required to register the municipally-owned sites as long as the tires are picked up by a registered hauler and delivered to a registered processor or retreader.
If the private company owns or operates collection sites that are not owned by a municipality, it is required to register and report its non-municipally-owned sites.
To ensure tires continue to be picked up from your sites, you 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.
Posted on July 17, 2020 by Michelle Hoover -
To set up your tire collection and management network, you must establish a publicly accessible collection system based on your supply volume or sales methods and implement a downstream management system to meet your specific regulatory targets using registered service providers. Alternatively, you may sign up with a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) to arrange and operate these systems on your behalf.
For more compliance guidance to producers who are required to establish and operate tire collection systems, read our Compliance Bulletin -Tire Collection Systems.
