From left to right, Gary Crossman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Frank LeBlanc, CEO of Recycle NB, and Jeff MacCallum, Managing Director Circular Materials Atlantic.
Phase 1 of packaging and paper products program launches
Today marks the launch of the first phase of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper products.
EPR shifts responsibility of collection and recycling packaging and paper from taxpayers to brand owners – those who produce and distribute these materials to consumers. New Brunswick is the first province in Atlantic Canada to adopt this new model for packaging and paper products.
Phase 1 includes select communities in the following Regional Service Commissions:
- Northwest Regional Service Commission (Region 1)
- Restigouche Regional Service Commission (Region 2)
- Fundy Regional Service Commission (Region 9)
- Southwest Regional Service Commission (Region 10)
- Capital Regional Service Commission (Region 11)
- Western Valley Regional Service Commission (Region 12)
During the transition, there will be no impact to resident collection schedules, or the materials that can be recycled. Residents can, however, begin taking the following items back to a participating redemption centre:
- Flexible plastics (potato chip bags, candy wrappers, resealable food storage bags)
- White foam polystyrene (takeout containers and meat trays)
- Ancillary carboard for beverage containers
- Glass jars (no lids)
Simply place these items in a clear plastic bag and return them with your deposit-bearing beverage containers. For more information, or to find a participating redemption centre in your area, please visit www.circularmaterials.ca/redemptioncentres.
Phase 2 of the packaging and paper program will launch in May of 2024. For more information, please visit Circular Materials begins the transition to Extended Producer Responsibility in New Brunswick | New Brunswick, News | Circular Materials.