Solid Waste Regulations, Op-ed
NOTE: The following is an op-ed piece from Environment Minister Andrew Younger.
With many viewpoints being expressed, it's important to understand the province's position on proposed regulatory changes for solid waste.
The primary purpose for considering any changes to how solid waste is managed in our province is to ensure the financial and environmental sustainability of the province's solid-waste program. As well, we want to identify opportunities that build on the environmental and economic benefits that we have achieved to date.
Recent commentary on proposed changes, which the province opened for comment, have zeroed in on one element -- extended producer responsibility. EPR or polluter pay, as it's known to some, is something the province already does through recycling electronics, paint and dairy containers. The department has consistently stated possible changes could extend this program to materials like paper and packaging over the next three years. This has not changed.
As Environment Minister, I have a responsibility to ensure any new or expanded program offers new and real benefits, and not just an additional cost. It is a result of the consultations and feedback received on this issue that I have recognized more information is needed before any expansion of EPR can continue to be considered.
The feedback my department has received about expanding Nova Scotia's EPR program has been primarily positive. However, there is lack of agreement and a wide variety of suggestions on what an expanded EPR should look like. As well, stakeholders, such as municipal solid-waste authorities, have not reached consensus on how an expanded EPR would operate. Residents and businesses need clarity.
While complete consensus on a way forward is unlikely, we need some agreement. Getting there will only be possible if individuals and organizations have a concrete proposal to consider -- one supported by additional data and analysis. One presented in the context of the future of the overall solid-waste program in our province.
In the coming months we will be working with organizations and individuals to prepare a more detailed proposal for comment and input. It is important to me, as I hope it is to all Nova Scotians, that anything we do to improve our environmental footprint is more than mere window dressing, but has real and measurable environmental and economic benefits for us all.