The big “hurry up” on the Blue Box in case the Liberals lose
(31 August 2017) – When Ontario released the final version of its waste strategy six months ago, dealing with the future financing of the province’s popular Blue Box program was at the backend of the queue. Sorting out the respective roles and responsibilities of municipalities and industry, not to mention the thorny issues of legal contracts and stranded assets, was considered so complicated and politically sensitive that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change pencilled in 2023 (safely after the next provincial election) to complete its transition to 100% industry-pay and individual producer responsibility.
Now the ministry wants a new plan by February! What changed? The governing Liberals started to tank in the public . . Read the rest of the post here
Circular Economy or spinning our wheels?
(15 August 2017) – The Circular Economy (CE to some) has become something of a buzzword of late, just like sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) before it. Good intentions, but a lot of public relations too. Perhaps we’re being too cynical, but the issue is a bit like. . . Read the rest of the post here
China doesn’t want the world’s garbage any more
(26 July 2017) – And who can blame them? For years, the world has been shipping all sorts of waste to China for it to be sorted, made into new products, and shipped back to us. Low labour rates and lax environmental enforcement have benefitted all parties to this commercial deal (even perhaps the Chinese workers, a job being better than no job).
One of the first warning signs of impending change occurred. . . Read the rest of the post here
