Backgrounder

For immediate release
May 9, 2007

GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY SEAL DEAL ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ON PLASTIC BAGS

Government partnerships that include industry and environmental organizations dedicated to taking on Ontario’s environmental challenges are key to meeting the McGuinty government’s goal for waste reduction and diversion in Ontario. 

The government will build on the strengths and expertise of Ontario industry and environmental organizations through a new partnership formed to find creative solutions to environmental concerns about oil-based plastic bags.

Information on Participants in Agreement

The Recycling Council of Ontario is a not-for-profit organization committed to minimizing society's impact on the environment by eliminating waste. Its mission is to inform and educate all members of society about the generation of waste, the avoidance of waste, the more efficient use of resources and the benefits and/or consequences of these activities.

The Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors  is a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing and promoting the grocery and food service distribution industry in Canada.  Its 23 member grocery chains and food service distributors represent $84 billion in sales, over 85 per cent of all grocery distribution sales in Canada.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers  is a not-for-profit organization committed to furthering the unique interests of Canada's independently and franchised grocers across Canada. The association’s 3,800 independently and franchised grocers contribute $14 billion in annual grocery sales.

The Retail Council of Canada is a not-for-profit association representing more than 40,000 stores of all retail formats, including independent merchants, regional and national mass and specialty chains, and online merchants.  The organization provides advocacy, research, education and services that enhance opportunities for retail success, and increase awareness of retail's contribution to the communities and customers it serves.
The Canadian Plastics Industry Association represents the entire plastics value chain, the country’s third largest manufacturing sector, with an annual economic output of over $52 billion and direct employment of 115,000. It’s mission is to advance the prosperity and international competitiveness of the Canadian plastics industry in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

Industry-Environment Agreement

The government secured voluntary agreement from the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, the Retail Council of Canada and the Recycling Council of Ontario to look for a made-in-Ontario solution to environmental concerns with plastic bags. 

Recognizing a need for increased responsibility among industry stewards, the partners have agreed to:
 
      Reduction:

• A 50 per cent reduction in the usage of single-use oil-based plastic bags across Ontario in five years
• Expansion of the use of reusable bags such as canvas and reusable plastic, and developing options for large items made available to customers as an alternative to single-use disposable plastic bags
• Commitment to increase the amount of recycled content in plastic bags, where possible
• Appropriate and meaningful incentives to encourage consumers to reduce plastic bag demand and
• Appropriate and meaningful incentives to encourage consumers to expand use of reusable bags.

Recycling 

• Options to encourage consumers to recycle plastic bags, including, where suitable, in-store or Blue Box recycling services.

Education and Promotion

• In tandem with the Ministry of the Environment, the launch of an annual promotion and education program to encourage consumers to reduce consumption of plastic bags, and reuse and recycle bags already in circulation.

Reporting and Monitoring

• Annual reporting on plastic bag reduction, take-back, recycling and recycled content, to be released publicly with a copy made available to Waste Diversion Ontario.

Government Funding to Support Agreement

The Ministry of the Environment will be funding a number of research projects that will help build a more in-depth understanding of the environmental issues associated with plastic bags and packaging to help inform the government’s development of a more comprehensive plan for packaging for the future.

The Association of Municipal Recycling Coordinators will receive $35,000 to study the potential for managing plastic film in the municipal recycling stream.  This research will explore logistics and cost implications for municipal recycling of plastic film collection and processing, and will help to inform the government and the coalition of the viability of including plastic bags in municipal Blue Box programs.

The Clean Air Foundation will receive $19,000 to study potential alternatives for plastic bags and examine implementation issues for retailers, as well as how best to respond to and affect consumer behaviour.  Based on this research, the foundation will work with selected retailers to develop and propose a number of pilot projects.

Funding for Shopper Loyalty Program

In support of Sault Ste. Marie’s ‘Say Yes to Reuse and Recycling’ Day, the government announced $25,000 in funding for a pilot shopper loyalty program with the city and the Recycling Council of Ontario.  The incentive-based program will encourage consumers to purchase and use reusable shopping bags.

 

For further information:
John Steele Communications Branch 416-314-6666	Anne O’Hagan Minister Broten’s Office 416-325-5809
Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ene.gov.on.ca

 

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