Ontario is expanding its blue box program.
Environment Minister Jeff Yurek says in addition to manufacturers paying to recycle their packaging more items will be able to be accepted into your blue box.
“With the proposed changes, people would be able to put more materials in their blue box such as paper, plastic cups, wraps, foils and bags, as well as food-related products like as stir sticks, straws, cutlery, plates as well as recyclable plastic coffee pods,” states Yurek.
The province will consult with municipalities until sometime in December.
Today’s provincial announcement includes shifting packaging costs onto manufacturers which persist in using excessive packaging.
Yurek says the announcement comes with $135-million in relief to help municipalities continue their blue box programs and expand into other smaller communities including first nations.
The announcement was made at the start of Waste Reduction Week.
