MANDATORY RECYCLING

Idea:

We should have a mandatory recycling system like Nova Scotia. There are currently zero requirements for landlords to offer recycling in apartments and houses they rent.

Staff Feedback:

Thanks for your input! You're right: the City has not imposed any mandatory requirements on recycling, as we leave this up to the residents to participate on a voluntary basis. Similarly, the province (NB Department of Environment) has not taken the same role as have provincial governments in other jurisdictions (such as NS ) to place mandatory requirements on recycling. Despite the fact that the current program for curbside collection is relatively easy, we've been disappointed to see that too many residents still choose not to recycle.

The province is, however, moving ahead with a new recycling program called “Extended Producer Responsibility," which - as the name implies - puts the onus on manufacturers and distributors of recyclable material to also be responsible for the recycling operations. It is anticipated that this program will be in place in 2023 and it will cause a shift in management of recycling away from government and municipalities and more onto the industry. Tied with a new collection program will be metrics, meaning that the manufacturers will need to demonstrate that they have good recycling programs. This will certainly involve a much more robust education and information program to residents to encourage them to recycle, although it still may not lead to mandatory requirements.

We have shared your thoughts with staff working in this area with the City.