Saturday, July 27, 2013

Are Local Governments Producers of Packaging & Printed Paper?

On June 24th - the Union of BC Muncipalities or UBCM notified its' members that the Province & MMBC (Multi-materials BC) that it considers local government to be producers of packaging and printed paper under the under the Recycling Regulation, as they will be distributors of brochures, calendars and other materials that will end up in residential waste streams while UBCM has a legal opinion from Lidstone & Company that contests the view of the Province and MMBC

Frankly - I'm disappointed how the whole issues of recycling and MMBC & local governments has been handled.  Local governments in the Cariboo-Chilcotin have been given until Sept 16th to accept a proposal from MMBC to handle recyclables and the financial incentives that come along with it or local governments would be forced to go it alone.  The first time I heard of this. as an Alternate Director, was at the Cariboo RD June 27th meeting.    Cariboo RD Staff reported at the June 27th that MMBC presented this item on June 7th on a webcast (same day as Cariboo RD Board meeting in Lac La Hache).  Read the staff report here.  MMBC will be presenting to the Cariboo RD Board at its' August 23rd meeting

The Central Cariboo Joint Committee agreed to the proposal on July 10th and the Cariboo RD Board ratified the Joint Committee's recommendation on July 12th.  I understand the North/South Joint Committees will meet to consider MMBC's proposal by the September deadline

I feel that the whole issue was akin to having a 'gun to your head'.  Of course, local governments would jump at the chance to get financial rewards for recycling, but it would have been preferable not to be forced into a decision by way of a short and arbitrary deadline, but a decision that was arrived at after a proper analysis by Staff and a recommendation from Staff to their respective local government.

I suspect all local governments will accept the offer of MMBC as it is better to get a financial reward for recyclables than not

Read more on this item from UBCM here


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