research

Several months ago, the government passed Ontario Regulation 522/20: Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The regulation was passed only months before it took effect, leaving no time to properly plan and included major amendments that were not consulted on. These changes cut recycling targets by between 15% - 25% per year; added exemptions and reductions that further undercut targets; reduced oversight requirements; and placed too much reliance on access to recycling collection sites rather than ensuring all materials are collected and recycled.

The recycling sector is asking the Ontario government to fix these major problems. Less electronic waste being recycled will lead to worse environmental outcomes than the previous recycling program and impact jobs and investment in Ontario. Instead of Ontario becoming a leader in e-waste recycling, the sector is struggling to survive. We know this was not the intention of the government and hope amendments will be considered as soon as possible.

Under Ontario’s new Electronics and Electrical Equipment recycling regulation:

• Ontario recyclers are processing almost 50% less material in the first quarter than they have in previous years.
• Based on current producer obligations of the volume currently being processed, only 60% of materials have been paid for by Producers.
• Based on current projections, Ontario recyclers are expected to process significantly less material than in previous years under the program run by Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) and receive compensation for well under half of the material they process.

We are concerned that if we are not able to fix the financial issues mentioned above, this will lead to the demise of Ontario’s electronic waste recycling and processing capabilities. Not only will these conditions cause more electronic waste going to landfills, Ontario is also missing an economic opportunity to recover valuable materials and resources for markets here in our province, negatively impacting job creation and investment.   

The OWMA believes that the following small revisions to O. Reg. 522/20 could help to address the current issues:

• Focus the emphasis on recycling targets, not accessibility
• Increase targets and remove exemption and reductions (e.g., warranty, repair, recycled content, and reuse multiplier)
• Ensure annual performance audits

Several months ago, the government passed Ontario Regulation 522/20: Electrical and Electronic Equipment, the regulation was passed only months before it came into effect, leaving no time to properly plan and included major amendments that were not consulted on. These changes cut targets by between 15% - 25% per year; added exemptions and reductions that further undercut targets; reduced oversight requirements; and placed too much reliance on access to recycling collection sites rather than ensuring all materials are collected and recycled. The recycling sector is already experiencing the impacts of these changes and are certain they will lead to worse environmental outcomes than the previous recycling program, and negatively impact jobs and investment in Ontario. OWMA is now requesting that amendments to the regulation be considered as soon as possible.

The OWMA embarked on a major data collection and analysis initiative to better understand data related to waste management in the province. This initial State of Waste Report is an annual publication, which is continually being expanded and refined based on the needs of the sector. The First Annual State of Waste in Ontario: Organics Report determined there are 76 organic processing facilities in Ontario. To access the report, click here.

The OWMA embarked on a major data collection and analysis initiative to better understand data related to waste management in the province. This initial State of Waste Report is an annual publication, which is continually being expanded and refined based on the needs of the sector. To access this report, click here.

The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) and the Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) are seeking feedback from waste management professionals on how to effectively conduct and promote academic research that supports the sector in Canada.

The feedback gathered from the survey, which can be accessed by clicking here, will be used to help structure a Canadian research program managed by EREF and prioritize areas of focus, including advances in technology, workplace health and safety, the development of end markets, the optimization of operations and the collection and standardization of data.

The survey launch follows a successful meeting held in Toronto on March 2 hosted by EREF and the OWMA to bring together industry representatives, municipal officials and regulators to work on finding ways to better coordinate research efforts on sustainable materials management.

At the meeting, participants reviewed EREF’s work in the United States and discussed ways to meet Canadian research needs and build upon the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year by the OWMA and EREF. The MOU sets out a framework to fund and facilitate research to address the needs of the waste management sector in Canada and foster relationships with Canadian academic institutions.

Developing an EREF-led research program in Canada has several different advantages for the sector. It would:

• Provide a neutral platform for private and public organizations across the country to collaborate on common research interests;
• Leverage the expertise of EREF on facilitating and overseeing academic research; and,
• Connect North American research efforts, including those that involve companies already operating in both Canada and the United States.

To play a part in the helping to structure this program, all OWMA members are encouraged to take the survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EREFCanada).

EREF is a 501(c) class charity that funds and directs scientific research and educational initiatives for waste management practices to benefit industry participants and the communities they serve. For more complete information on EREF funded research, scholarships, visit www.erefdn.org.