B.C. strikes working group to increase diversion of commercial packaging and paper products

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is working toward an obligation of industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) packaging and paper products (PPP) in about five years. This is likely to be similar to the existing obligation for “residential” (e.g., what is taken out of the store or restaurant) packaging and paper product obligation. Instead, an ICI obligation would cover the packaging and paper products that never leave the stores, restaurants, warehouses, distribution centres, and offices in B.C. Such a program would establish a precedent for other provinces.

The province is convening the time-limited Working Group, to identify potential interim opportunities to increase the diversion of ICI PPP materials for the small business commercial sector in North-Central B.C. The Working Group will primarily focus on interim opportunities for increasing PPP diversion from small commercial retailers, that can be implemented within the next several years. The options brought forward and confirmed by the Working Group will be incorporated into an engagement summary to be provided to the Ministry. RCC will participate in the Working Group on behalf of the industry.