Packaging and Printed Paper

NEW RULES IN PLACE FOR WASTE PACKAGING
New “Blue Box” Program Being Developed

Manitoba has a new Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship Regulation.  The new Regulation under the Waste Reduction and Prevention (WRAP) Act was registered on Dec 22nd, 2008.

The new Regulation will strengthen support for Manitoba’s multi-material recycling program and build on the successful Blue Box program managed over the past 13 years by the Manitoba Product Stewardship Corporation (MPSC).

Public review of the new stewardship program plan is targeted for June 2009 with the launch of the new program in 2010. 

Who’s Responsible?

The Regulation is based on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and makes the “stewards” of packaging and printed paper responsible for organizing and supporting a program to recycle those materials, and to reduce litter.  Stewards are companies and people who sell or distribute packaging or printed materials in Manitoba.

Several industry associations representing stewards have joined together to form Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM).  Manitoba Conservation and Green Manitoba are working closely with MMSM as it develops the stewardship program plan.

The Plan will be based on requirements outlined in the Guideline for Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship and Guideline for Plastic Bags.

What’s in?

“Packaging” includes any package or container, or any part of a package or container that is comprised of glass, metal, paper, or plastic or any combination of any of those materials.’ 

Two categories of packaging are identified:

(1) packaging of “pre-packaged goods” which includes all packaging that a product is supplied with, and

(2) “service packaging” is any packaging that is provided at the point of sale by a retail seller or food service industry to facilitate the delivery of goods to the consumer.  This includes single use plastic bags.

“Printed paper” is defined as any paper material printed with text or graphics and used as a medium to communicate information, including directories, catalogues, newspapers and flyers, warranty cards, promotional materials and magazines, but does not include books.

Other Requirements

1. Plastic bags supplied in Manitoba must be recyclable or be biodegradable.
2. The new program must meet targets to reduce the use of plastic bags and to recover beverage containers. 
3. Beverage containers which are part of a deposit return program, e.g. beer bottles, are exempt.

For further information:

Contact us at:  Pollupreve@gov.mb.ca