Board Converting News, January 15, 2023

Environmental Issues PPEC Will Be Watching In 2024 BY RACHEL KAGAN

Evolution of Extended Producer Responsibility Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – a policy ap- proach in which a producer is made financially and phys- ically responsible for ensuring their packaging is respon- sibly managed and recycled – will continue to evolve in Canada. In many ways, EPR for residential paper and packag- ing is still in its infancy in Canada. Currently, only British Columbia has a true EPR approach, while other provinces who have had programs in place for years, including On- tario, are transitioning to producer-responsibility models. It is PPEC’s hope that the evolution of EPR will result in improvements to recycling, including: • Harmonization of programs and greater economies of scale, which would see more materials being collected, processed, and ultimately recycled • Improved consumer education, awareness and partic- ipation •Less contamination, cleaner materials, and an improved quality of feedstock

As the Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) continues its work to represent the envi- ronmental interests of the Canadian paper packaging industry, we will also be closely monitoring a number of en- vironmental issues – from recycling and EPR, to changing food packaging materials, and possibly new guidance on environmental claims – over the coming year. Here is a look ahead to some of the key issues that PPEC will be closely following in 2024. Rachel Kagan

DESIGNS THAT INCREASE PRODUCTION

•More consistent and transparent data from stewardship organizations and pro- ducer responsibility organizations on the amount of obligated materials being col- lected, but most importantly, how much of those materials are actually recycled, by material type, across all legislated provin- cial programs Plastic Reduction Initiatives Continue PPEC expects to see a continued focus on plastics reduction in Canada by govern- ments and businesses this year. On the legislative side, while there may have been some questions raised by the outcome of a recent court ruling on Can- ada’s Single-use Plastics Prohibition Reg- ulations, it should not change the goals of the government’s Zero Plastic Waste Agenda. This year, we can expect to see next steps related to some federal government proposals, including the potential develop- ment of a federal plastics registry, which is currently being consulted on. The government intends to publish a notice of intent under the Canadian Envi- ronmental Protection Act, with respect to reporting of certain plastic products for 2024, 2025 and 2026, before the end of this year. The government is also looking to de- velop recycled content and labelling rules for plastics, with regulations expected to be published for comment this year. We can also expect to see contin- ued initiatives from businesses to reduce

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January 15, 2024

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