January is a time for renewal – renewing goals, making plans, setting new targets. It’s an opportunity for a fresh start or a new project. For Recycle NB, 2023 will be a milestone year, with a couple of exciting new initiatives in the works.

Before we look ahead, however, let’s take a quick look back. The year 2022 brought another new program for Recycle NB. In October, the Department of Environment and Local Government amended the Designated Materials Regulation to include a new Extended Producer Responsibility program for pharmaceutical products and medical sharps. The purpose of the Regulation is to ensure unused medications and used medical needles and syringes are properly managed. These items, if not disposed of properly, pose a threat to humans, wildlife and our environment.

Looking ahead to 2023, the next step for this program is for brand owners to register with Recycle NB before February 21. The Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), which represents the brand owners, must then submit a management plan by April 22, 2023, which will include strategies for the collection of pharmaceutical products and medical sharps, as well as details on how they will be managed. Once the stewardship plan is approved by Recycle NB, an official launch will be planned.

Our other new program for packaging and paper products is also moving closer to a launch date. The PRO, Circular Materials, has been working on a management plan, which, when finalized, will make it easy and convenient for New Brunswickers to recycle paper, cardboard, plastics and glass. Stay tuned for more details on a program launch in the coming months.

As we say goodbye to 2022, Recycle NB would like to take this opportunity to thank you for doing your part to recycle designated materials. Thanks to you, these items stay out of our landfills and don’t threaten our eco-systems. Our goal for 2023 is to continue to make it easy for you to recycle these items. Together, we can continue keeping New Brunswick clean and green.

Happy New Year everyone!