Posted on August 4, 2022 by RPRA Communications -
In the Blue Box Regulation, certified compostable products and packaging is defined as material that:
- is only capable of being processed by composting, anaerobic digestion or other processes that result in decomposition by bacteria or other living organisms, and
- is certified compostable by an international, national, or industry standard that is listed in this procedure.
All certified compostable products and packaging reported by producers must be certified under one of the following standards:
- CAN/BNQ 0017-088: Specifications for Compostable Plastics
- ISO 17088: Specifications for compostable plastics
- ASTM D6400: Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities
- ASTM D6868: Standard Specification for Labeling of End Items that Incorporate Plastics and Polymers as Coatings or Additives with Paper and Other Substrates Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities
- EN 13432: Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation – Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging
Posted on August 4, 2022 by Monica Ahmed -
For the purpose of reporting annual supply data under the Blue Box Regulation, the weight of newspaper must be reported in the appropriate material categories. For example, newsprint must be reported in the ‘paper’ category, while any protective plastic wrapping must be reported as ‘flexible plastic’.
Then, producers will be asked to indicate what percentage of their total Blue Box material supply was newspaper, including any protective wrapping and supplemental advertisements and inserts, in that calendar year.
See our FAQs: “What is a newspaper?” and “Who is a newspaper producer?”
Posted on July 21, 2022 by Michelle Hoover -
While foam insulating containers were included under the MHSW Program, the HSP Regulation defines a non-refillable pressurized container as a pressurized container that is used for the supply of a gas product.
Foam insulation containers are used to supply an insulating foam, which is not a ‘gas product,’ and therefore they do not meet the definition of a non-refillable pressurized container under the HSP Regulation.
Posted on July 4, 2022 by Michelle Hoover -
RPRA considers an aerosol container to be a non-refillable receptacle that contains a product and a propellant under pressure, and that is fitted with a release device allowing the contents to be ejected as solid or liquid particles in suspension in a gas, or as a foam, paste, powder, liquid, or gas.
Posted on April 18, 2022 by Jess Turchet -
If a producer misreports their supply data to RPRA, they must contact the Compliance Team immediately by emailing registry@rpra.ca. Please include the following information in the email:
- The rationale for the change in the data
- Any data that supports the need for a correction (e.g., sales documents, audit)
- Any other information to support the change
While it is an offence to submit false or misleading information under the RRCEA, RPRA wants this corrected as quickly as possible to ensure a producer’s minimum management requirement is calculated using accurate supply data.
RPRA can only receive these requests from the primary contact on the company’s Registry account. Your request for an adjustment will be reviewed by a Compliance and Registry Officer.
Posted on January 24, 2022 by Michelle Hoover -
A producer can grant access to anyone they would like to authorize in their reporting (i.e. Registry) portal. Producer reporting must be done in the producer account and batch data transfers are not accepted.
Posted on January 24, 2022 by Michelle Hoover -
Under the HSP Regulation, producers are required to make reasonable efforts to establish and operate at least as many collection sites for each type of HSP in each local municipality, territorial district or reserve as the number of sites that were operated on September 30, 2021.
Producers are also required to make reasonable efforts to hold at least as many collection events for that type of HSP in each local municipality, territorial district or reserve as the number of events that were held in the 2020 calendar year.
Posted on October 20, 2021 by Michelle Hoover -
Yes. You are required to submit 2018, 2019 and 2020 supply data when registering with the Authority if you are a producer of oil filters, oil filters, oil containers, antifreeze, pesticides, solvents, paints and coatings, refillable or non-refillable pressurized containers and:
- supplied materials between January 1, 2018, and October 31, 2021, and
- your average weight of supply is above the threshold stated in the below table
| Type of HSP | Average weight of supply in respect of the previous calendar year (tonnes) |
| Oil Filters | 3.5 |
| Antifreeze | 20 |
| Oil Containers | 2 |
| Paints and Coatings | 10 |
| Pesticides | 1 |
| Non-refillable Pressurized Containers | 3 |
| Refillable Pressurized Containers | 8 |
| Solvents | 3 |
Otherwise, a producer must register on or before July 31 of the first calendar year in which the producer exceeds the above threshold. To calculate your average weight of supply, reference the Registration Form.
Posted on October 20, 2021 by Jess Turchet -
Under the Blue Box Regulation, allowable deductions for producers include Blue Box materials that are deposited into a receptacle at a location that is not an eligible source and where the product related to the Blue Box material was supplied and used or consumed.
This applies to food court restaurants located in a mall or in the base of an office tower. Blue Box materials that were disposed of in the buildings’ recycling receptacles and were supplied and used or consumed within that physical building are an allowable deduction. Blue Box materials that were disposed of in the buildings’ recycling receptacles but were not supplied and used or consumed within that physical building are not deductible.
This does not reduce the obligation of a producer to provide complete and accurate supply data or limit the ability of an Authority inspector to review the data and related records for the purpose of determining compliance.
Posted on October 19, 2021 by Michelle Hoover -
As an obligated HSP producer, you are required to:
- register and report annual supply and performance data of obligated materials
- meet mandatory and enforceable requirements for collection and management
- meet mandatory and enforceable requirements for promotion and education
- meet mandatory and enforceable requirements for auditing, verification, and record keeping
These requirements vary based on material type and amount of material the producer supplies.
Posted on September 15, 2021 by Michelle Hoover -
Posted on September 15, 2021 by RPRA Communications -
RPRA’s Registry fees cover the costs related to compliance and enforcement and other activities required to administer the regulations under the RRCEA, and building and operating the Registry.
The Registry fees cover expenses in a given year (e.g., 2021 fees cover 2021 expenses). 2021 fees for Blue Box cover the Authority’s costs to undertake activities to implement the regulation in 2021, which include:
- helping obligated parties understand their requirements
- ensuring producers register and report their supply data by the deadline in the regulation
- compliance, enforcement, and communication activities
Posted on September 15, 2021 by Michelle Hoover -
If a producer is exempt in accordance with the chart below, the producer is exempt from the following requirements:
- Registration with RPRA
- Requirements related to setting up or operating a collection system
- Management requirements
- Promotion and education requirements
Producer categories use the average weight of material (in tonnes) supplied in Ontario in the three previous calendar years. If you have questions on how to calculate your average weight of supply, contact the Registry Support Team at registry@rpra.ca.
