The province is seeking public comment on industry-led plans to change and improve access to safe and responsible recycling, and disposal of electronic and household hazardous waste, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie announced.
“To improve recycling services in Manitoba, the provincial government requires industry to be more responsible for the waste associated with their products and to implement comprehensive programs to deal with it,” said Blaikie. “This public consultation is one of the first steps in establishing the new programs.”
Beginning in April 2011, the proposed programs would support permanent collection systems throughout the province and would replace the current government-funded household hazardous-waste depots and e-waste roundups.
Once fully implemented, the programs would offer:
• more opportunities to safely recycle or dispose of waste materials,
• drop-off locations throughout Manitoba, and
• increased diversion of toxic materials from landfills.
Household hazardous waste includes products such as batteries, medications, paint, antifreeze, fluorescent lighting and products containing mercury. Electronic waste includes products such as computers, televisions, video players and home-theatre systems. Recycling or properly disposing of these products instead of throwing them out with household garbage conserves natural resources and protects the environment, said Blaikie. Blue box, tire and oil recycling programs have already diverted a significant amount of waste from landfills, he added.
The plans are required by the Household Hazardous Material and Prescribed Material Stewardship Regulation and the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Stewardship Regulation. Public input will help guide decisions about approving or adapting the proposed plans, the minister said, adding the provincial government is seeking feedback related to all areas of the plans including accessibility and convenience, environmental protection, funding sources and financial reporting.
The plans are available online through links at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pollutionprevention and at Manitoba Conservation’s public registries throughout the province. Comments may be submitted until Sept. 27, 2010.
