Under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA)
Consultation Timeline: September 5, 2024 – October 20, 2024 (45 days)
Ministry: Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is seeking input on amendments to four producer responsibility regulations under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA):
the Tires Regulation (O. Reg. 225/18)
the Batteries Regulation (O. Reg. 30/20)
the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) Regulation (O. Reg. 522/20)
the Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) Regulation (O. Reg. 449/21)
Ontario’s producer responsibility framework ensures that producers of specified materials are accountable for the environmental impact and financial costs of the waste generated. Over the last few years as the legislation and regulations came into effect, various municipalities have registered and entered into agreements with a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) to collect and manage waste in these four areas.
The proposed changes to the framework aim to increase flexibility, reduce administrative burden, and simplify compliance requirements for producers of specified materials, while still reducing and diverting waste.
Amendments, if approved, will modify collection network requirements and administrative and operational burden across the four areas, as well as regulation-specific changes. This includes allowing producers to establish and operate sites in an adjacent local municipality, removing the requirement for some collection sites to keep certain records, and removing registration and reporting for tire collectors.
The Ministry is seeking comments until October 20, 2024.