Dear
Re: 2011 Ontario Election & Waste Diversion
Organizations representing the waste management sector, municipalities, environmental organizations
and producers continue to push for a sustainable waste management framework for Ontario that
reduces the waste we currently generate, increases waste diversion and supports the growth of the
recycling sectors.
From deposit return, to the Blue Box, to the Waste Diversion Act, Ontario has often been at the
forefront of waste diversion and each of the governing parties has had a role in increasing the amount of
waste Ontarians divert. This progress has been slow at times but with the introduction of producer
responsibility programs for printed paper & packaging, tires, household hazardous waste and waste
electronics this pace has quickened. These changes have meant increased waste diversion; the creation
of jobs and investment in the recycling sector; and the uploading of over $250 million of annual costs
from the municipal taxpayer.
Producer Responsibility is the key policy tool to divert waste and assign costs, a tool that has been
implemented and expanded in the most progressive jurisdictions in the world. To that end, we have
participated in an important consultation to review and improve upon Ontario’s Waste Diversion Act.
This consultation began to deal with the current challenges facing waste diversion in Ontario and sought
to expand its application, improve governance of the programs that currently exist, introduce
performance measure mechanisms and review financial structures that facilitate competitiveness and
ensure transparency. Within these consultations, concepts of full producer responsibility, expansion of
regulatory tools, resources directed to the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC&I) sector and the
introduction of supporting measures, such as disposal levies and bans, along with long-term, strategic
planning were major discussion points.
The issue of waste management, its costs to our environment and citizens, remains an issue of great
importance. As such, we are reaching out to your party to better understand your position on waste
and your plans to address it post-election. To support our better understanding we are asking you to
respond to the following questions:

How is waste reduction and diversion addressed in your environmental protection plans and
commitments to Ontarians?

What is the position of your party on producer responsibility (producer pays) for waste diversion
programs?

What is your party’s opinion/position on the Waste Diversion Act and the current programs
operating under it? What if anything will your party do to improve these current waste
diversion programs?

How do you think the programs under the Act should be managed and governed?
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
What financial model would your party employ to ensure fair, accountable, and competitive
programs under the Waste Diversion Act?
Thank you for your participation and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
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