Manitoba blue box fees to take effect April 1

(Jan. 21/10) Any business that supplies, distributes or sells packaged products or printed paper in Manitoba may be affected by the new Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship Regulation that goes into effect April 1, 2010.

Most companies that generate more than $750,000 in annual revenues in Manitoba will be required to participate in this program.  This regulation requires affected companies to register as product stewards and to remit fees.

Under the program, businesses that contribute printed paper or packaging to the municipal wastestream will be responsible for funding 80% of the net costs of the Manitoba waste reduction and prevention program, which includes curbside blue box programs and other waste reduction initiatives.  

This new regulation is part of Manitoba’s Waste Reduction and Prevention (WRAP) Act that became law on Dec. 22, 2008.  The WRAP Act developed requirements for the stewardship program for packaging and printed paper materials made from glass, metal, paper or plastic and sold in the province. 

A new industry group – Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM) – will collect fees and run the stewardship program.  To find out if your company must register and pay fees, visit www.stewardshipmanitoba.org.  Stewards must register by March 31, 2010.

A presentation on steward fees for 2010 and on how to register and report will be held Jan. 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Winnipeg (location to be determined).  Alternately, stewards may choose to participate via the Web.  To attend in person or online, click here.

If you have questions about the program or presentation, please contact CRFA’s Manitoba-Saskatchewan Vice-President Courtney Hirota via e-mail at chirota@crfa.ca or by phone at 204-926-8667 or 1-877-926-8557 (toll-free).