Editor:
Re: Homegrown recyclers fed to the wolves (Coast Reporter views, May 9).
Multi-Material BC (MMBC) holds an unwavering commitment to recycling and environmental stewardship. This includes effectively managing extended producer responsibility obligations of more than 900-member organizations in a manner that supports zero-waste goals and protects this beautiful province.
We have no plans to direct either collected or residual material to a waste-to-energy facility. Neither our stewardship plan nor our contractual agreements include this option.
MMBC’s packaging and printed paper (PPP) stewardship program will allow residents to recycle more items than ever before.
From milk cartons to plant pots, aluminum foil packaging to drink cups, many new items will be diverted from landfill, cutting waste costs and supporting local and provincial environmental goals.
A cornerstone of the program is the B.C. government’s requirement that MMBC achieve a 75 per cent recovery rate for PPP — an increase over the current 53 per cent rate. MMBC, through our agreement with our post-collection partner Green by Nature (GBN), will boost the efficiency of sorting recyclables, sending less material to landfill than ever before. As part of their agreement with MMBC, GBN has committed that no materials picked up, as part of the program, recyclable or otherwise, will be directed to a waste-to-energy facility.
MMBC’s weight-based fee structure rewards companies that reduce the weight of PPP brought to market. This means if a company produces less or re-designs their packaging to use more recyclable materials, they will pay lower fees.
We feel that this incentive-based approach will be effective in encouraging producers to re-examine their packaging.
A B.C.-based organization with local staff and B.C.-based collectors, we are a member of the Canadian Stewardship Services Alliance, a national program that has successfully launched similar programs in other provinces.
Alan Langdon, managing director,
Multi-Material BC
