Editor:
Re: "Curbside recycling a huge game changer" (Coast Reporter, Nov. 9).
That Coast Reporter wrote a story about this proposed recycling change for everyone in B.C. on the very day "public input" ended for this proposed printed paper and packaging plan is such a pity.
This new stewardship program will effect local governments, existing recycling businesses and consumers.
The title of this article "Curbside recycling program a game changer" leaves the reader thinking that curbside is what will be coming to every community in B.C., but in fact the proposed PPP EPR [polluter pays principle, also known as extended polluter responsibility] materials can be "collected" at depots or at the curb. Multi Materials BC (MMBC), the organization created by the product producers, to design and manage this EPR program, states on its website that polystyrene, glass and plastic film may be handled best at depots (http://multimaterialbc.ca/blog/collect-curbor-depot).
It also should be noted that this proposed new EPR program only covers the collection of materials in this PPP plan, while existing community recycling programs may collect more materials, like books in mixed paper or garbage bags in plastic film, this PPP EPR program only pays for the materials on their list from registered producers, including brand owners, franchises, primary importer, small business who introduce printed paper and packaging into the residential marketplace in B.C.
Many questions have not been answered in this rushed plan. Questions include the negative impacts on local government, new fees, taxes, recycling businesses and the environment. While communities await these answers, this plan is being fast-tracked by the Ministry of the Environment. We may find the "game changer" with this proposed plan isn't improved recycling, improved packaging, improved B.C. recycling industry but WTE [waste to energy], the burning of collected materials and resources.
Lift lid and throw, make things go away, isn't recycling. It is the organized disposal and destruction of valuable resources.
Barb Hetherington, Gibsons
