UPDATE - ON: CPA presents cylinder recycling proposal to Retail Council of Canada
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The CPA has been pursuing adoption of a more refined cylinder recycling program with the Ontario government over the past year.
In late July 2020, CPA President and CEO Nathalie St-Pierre and Ontario Government Relations Director Marcelline Riddell outlined the association’s proposal to have the new provincial program capture only small non-refillable cylinders to representatives of Canadian Tire and Costco.
Upon discussion, both groups agreed that the plan is solid and captures program intent by focusing on pressurized cylinders that do not contribute to the circular economy.
On July 31, 2020 as a next step and to garner broader support, St-Pierre sent a letter to the Retail Council of Canada’s Senior Director of Sustainability Innovation and Circular Economy, Philippe Cantin. In his immediate response, Cantin indicated he would circulate the letter to his members, discuss the proposal with an internal committee on August 10, 2020, and communicate with the CPA shortly thereafter.
The CPA, along with many industry stewards, has been working on pressurized cylinder recycling issues over the past few years as a result of the Ontario government’s wind-up of the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW) program, slated for 2021 and as other provinces are establishing programs or thinking about it.
In Ontario, as a result of the Ford government’s policy objectives supporting a truly circular economy, the CPA has refocused its efforts to advocate for the new pressurized cylinder recycling program to capture only small, non-refillable cylinders. The rationale advanced is that all other pressurized cylinders contribute to the circular economy as they are re-inspected, recycled and reused regularly. The CPA has made this case to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and his staff and received general support for this position. While we don’t know the outcome yet, and after speaking with representatives from both Canadian Tire and Costco earlier this week, we are seeking the support of all affected retailers on this.
