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Beginning in 2010, Manitoba businesses that produce printed paper and/or packaging that enters the municipal waste stream will be subject to new environmental fees.  Although the exact funding structure is yet to be determined,  businesses will be  responsible for funding  80% of the municipal costs associated with managing recycling programs.

The program will be similar to the blue box stewardship programs in Ontario and Quebec, but will also include funding responsibilities for plastic bag reduction, increased beverage container diversion and campaigns aimed at increasing public awareness about recycling.

Preliminary cost estimates indicate that this new program will cost businesses across the province approximately $11 million gor the first year of the program, with fees being reviewed and adjusted annually.  It is anticipated that fee collection will begin on April 1, 2010, following final government approval of the program. 

The environmental fees will be collected by a new organization, Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM), and redistributed to municipalities.  CRFA currently represents the foodservice industry on the Board of Directors of MMSM, where it works to ensure that all fee-setting and program decisions reflect the concerns of foodservice operators. 

As part of the government’s approval process, operators are invited to share their views about the draft program plan with the province’s Pollution Prevention branch.

For more information about the program, visit the MMSM website.