A coalition of business groups is putting the spotlight on British Columbia's new industry-led recycling program, saying it will end up costing both businesses and consumers more without delivering promised environmental benefits.
"We will be asking British Columbians to talk to the B.C. government to push the pause button on its reckless and red-tape laden program for printed paper and packaging waste," Mike Klassen, director of provincial affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said at a press conference March 10.
The group, which includes representatives from the recycling, printing, newspaper, agriculture and manufacturing sectors, has created a new advertising campaign that highlights Multi Material BC's ties to Ontario and what it claims will be increased costs to taxpayers.
Multi Material BC (MMBC) is the not-for-profit agency created to implement B.C.'s new recycling legislation, passed in 2011. That law makes industry responsible for paying for, collecting and recycling the packaging waste it puts into consumers' hands.
The system, called extended producer responsibility (EPR), is similar to stewardship programs for things like tires and paint and is already in place in Ontario and Manitoba.
But MMBC has repeatedly come under fire from business groups and municipalities for poor consultation and communication. That's led MMBC to backpedal several times, extending a deadline for municipalities to sign up to the system and exempting small businesses from reporting requirements many complained were too onerous.
Now sectors like the printing industry say they fear the new system's impact. Marilynn Knock, executive director of the BC Printing and Imaging Association, said her members are concerned that their clients will opt to get brochures and posters printed outside of the province, where they will not have to pay the recycling fees.
Corinne Atwood, executive director of the BC Bottle and Recyling Depot Association, said many independent recycling companies will be left out of the new system.
Manufacturing and agricultural representatives complained the new system had been designed by large retailers and did not consult with them to take into account the needs of their members.
"They've never included us in the discussion," said Stan Vander Waal of the B.C. Agriculture Council. "The packaging we put on products is being asked for by retailers."
Coalition members also warned that consumers will likely be charged a hidden "eco-fee" on purchases that include packaging.
MMBC's board is made up exclusively of executives from large multi-national corporations such as Tim Hortons, Loblaws and Coca Cola, none of whom are based in B.C. The organization is currently working to expand its board, Allen Langdon, managing director of MMBC, told Business in Vancouver.
Members of the business coalition are also concerned that recycling fees are much higher in B.C. than in Ontario and Manitoba. For instance, the fee for plastic bags is twice as high in B.C. than in Ontario, while the fee for newsprint is 47 times as high.
The reason the fees are higher is that B.C.'s system will be funded entirely by the private sector, while Ontario's EPR program is funded by both municipalities and industry, Langdon said.
MMBC's service also includes multi-family buildings and recycling depot, which Ontario's EPR system does not cover, he added.
The business coalition is urging all British Columbians to write to Premier Christy Clark to urge her to put a stop to the program and reform it with the consultation of affected businesses.
The organization is set to roll out its recycling service this May.
