The funding of recycling in BC is done through a simple concept–Producers pay for recycling costs fortheir products. This is called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This means we cannot acceptarticles that do not fall in the designated product categories–so we cannot accept miscellaneous piecesof glass, metal, plastic etc.
Broadly, the Province has set up a Recycling Regulation where it sets goals and responsibilities for recycling which Industry must meet and pay for. The industry then sets up a non-profit Stewardship organization which prepares an action plan that must be approved by the Province. Once its proposal is approved, the Stewardship organization then determines the best way to meet its obligations - allowing the industry to determine how to finance and achieve its targets. This model explains the success of recycling in BC - the government sets the terms and industry makes their own path to achieve the terms of the plan. There are currently 12 Stewards in BC (everything from paint to batteries) with plans for another dozen in the next 4-7 years.
The funding of our depot on Mayne Island is somewhat more complicated. In theory, Stewards provide the full funding to cover the cost of collecting and transporting materials to be recycled - and in large centres that is how the programs work. Mayne Island and similar smaller and remote communities do not have a large enough population base to make such a model practical. We do not have the economy of scale to make collection of recycling economically feasible. In the view of industry, collecting from smaller communities would drive up the purchase price of items too far. We are very fortunate on Mayne Island that the CRD has decided that it is of value to have recycling services on each island rather than requiring residents to transport their own recycling to Vancouver Island depots. As such, the CRD funds the Southern Gulf Island recycling depots to collect Printed Paper and Packaging (PPP) - or materials usually associated with Blue Box systems in the city. That is the bulk of the materials we collect and is the backbone of the depot. However, we also collect light fixtures, batteries, paint, electronics, cell phones and many other items. While we receive some funds from the Stewards for collecting these materials, their full cost of collection is not covered. And that's where you come in. By donating refundable beverage containers to the depot, we are able to cover the costs of all the materials not in the Blue Box system. These donations will allow us to add more items when they fall under new Stewardship programs. So thanks for allowing us to expand our collection base with your donations!
Broadly, the Province has set up a Recycling Regulation where it sets goals and responsibilities for recycling which Industry must meet and pay for. The industry then sets up a non-profit Stewardship organization which prepares an action plan that must be approved by the Province. Once its proposal is approved, the Stewardship organization then determines the best way to meet its obligations - allowing the industry to determine how to finance and achieve its targets. This model explains the success of recycling in BC - the government sets the terms and industry makes their own path to achieve the terms of the plan. There are currently 12 Stewards in BC (everything from paint to batteries) with plans for another dozen in the next 4-7 years.
The funding of our depot on Mayne Island is somewhat more complicated. In theory, Stewards provide the full funding to cover the cost of collecting and transporting materials to be recycled - and in large centres that is how the programs work. Mayne Island and similar smaller and remote communities do not have a large enough population base to make such a model practical. We do not have the economy of scale to make collection of recycling economically feasible. In the view of industry, collecting from smaller communities would drive up the purchase price of items too far. We are very fortunate on Mayne Island that the CRD has decided that it is of value to have recycling services on each island rather than requiring residents to transport their own recycling to Vancouver Island depots. As such, the CRD funds the Southern Gulf Island recycling depots to collect Printed Paper and Packaging (PPP) - or materials usually associated with Blue Box systems in the city. That is the bulk of the materials we collect and is the backbone of the depot. However, we also collect light fixtures, batteries, paint, electronics, cell phones and many other items. While we receive some funds from the Stewards for collecting these materials, their full cost of collection is not covered. And that's where you come in. By donating refundable beverage containers to the depot, we are able to cover the costs of all the materials not in the Blue Box system. These donations will allow us to add more items when they fall under new Stewardship programs. So thanks for allowing us to expand our collection base with your donations!