Ready to Report webinars and resources
More than 200 stewards participated in recent reporting webinars to help them prepare to submit PPP data in the upgraded WeRecycle Portal by the May 31 deadline . Webinar replays, presentations and other information for new and experienced stewards are available on the 2020 Reporting Resources webpage.
MCD consultations update
The Material Cost Differentiation (MCD) project is finalizing information for consultations with the steward community that are tentatively scheduled for April. The stewards who form the Steward Consultation Committee (SCC) attended a half-day workshop in January to review the MCD methodology, including detailed consideration of the Material Cost Index (MCI) that represents each material’s unique impacts on the cost of the recycling system activities. The MCI will serve as an important input to the fee setting process. The project team thanks SCC members for their work and will provide details shortly about consultation activities. Further information and background on MCD is available here .
Streetscape consultations and roundtable report
Consultations on the Streetscape program are being planned for spring . The consultations will advance the program plan commitment to offer financial incentives for on-street recycling to eligible interested municipalities beginning in 2021. A series of 2019 roundtable discussions with local governments considered best practices for an effective on-street collection system, findings from local government studies and the data needed to inform the development of a financial incentive. The report of the roundtable series is available here . 
Managing PPP in organics collection
Recycle BC is working to address packaging and paper product (PPP) in organics collected by local governments. Along with ensuring effective management of this PPP and its inclusion in recovery targets, the program is monitoring the province’s Organic Matter Recycling Regulation , which determines the materials (including compostable plastics) that compost facilities can accept as feedstock from residential organics programs. This builds on Recycle BC’s 2018 compostable packaging study and 2019 research that will be released this month. In keeping with its program obligation, Recycle BC will hold consultations later in 2020 to create a proposed financial incentive for the management of applicable PPP in the organics waste stream.
Supporting the First Nations Recycling Initiative
The First Nations Recycling Initiative (FNRI) is marking its fourth year of operation. Recycle BC continues to work with other stewardship programs to fund and support Indigenous communities’ recycling goals. FNRI is dedicated to supporting community collection events, raising awareness of the initiative, and offering resources to encourage and support recycling of a number of materials including PPP. Further information about the FNRI’s 2019 activities is available here . 
Cost study update
To better reflect Saskatchewan supply-chain expenses, MMSW continues to work with its Advisory Committee on an updated payment model and rate adjustment. This initiative will inform changes to the payment model for the 2021 program budget.
Celebrating 10 years!
MMSM marks its 10th anniversary on April 1, 2020. In the past decade, Manitoba has made great strides in recycling by increasing recovery rates by more than 35% and consistently improving recycling habits and performance. Stay tuned for details about exciting events and promotions that are being planned to celebrate the milestone. 
Plastic bag consultations
As part of the Premier’s 100-Day Action Plan, the Department of Conservation and Climate has started consultations with the private sector on the elimination of plastic bags. MMSM has met with the provincial government and other stakeholders to discuss the potential impact of the ban on residents and businesses.
Blue Box preparing for consultation
Stewardship Ontario is working on its proposals for the Blue Box Wind Up Plan that is to be submitted to RPRA by June 30, 2020. Consultation details to be released in the coming weeks.   
MHSW residual funds and release of battery regulation
The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) approved Stewardship Ontario's addendum to the MHSW Wind Up Plan that outlines the process of returning residual funds to stewards once the program is in its final wind up phase in 2022. The addendum was a condition that came with RPRA’s approval of the MHSW Wind Up Plan, based on further Ministerial direction received in December 2019. Click here to learn more.

On February 27, the Government released the regulation for batteries under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act that outlines how individual producers will assume responsibility for the management of single-use batteries upon wind up of the MHSW program.
Support for residual funds process
RPRA’s recently approved addendum to the MHSW Wind Up Plan for returning residual funds to stewards when the program enters its final wind up phase in 2022 reflects the position advanced by AMS and supported by the membership. More information is available here.
Three years and 36,000 tonnes
Since AMS was launched on April 1, 2017, the program has recycled more than 7,100 tonnes of antifreeze and antifreeze containers, 9,200 tonnes of oil containers and 19,700 tonnes of oil filters. AMS is proud to support its members by ensuring convenient, environmentally sustainable ways for businesses and consumers to recycle these used automotive products.