Printed Paper and Packaging

Starting May 19, 2014, responsibility for recycling packaging and printed paper shifted from a local government, taxpayer funded program to an industry-led program. This means that businesses that supply packaging and printed paper to the consumer will be financially responsible for collecting it via curbside and depot, and ultimately recycling it. This type of program is known as extended producer responsibility, or EPR. The program was developed due to changes in the Ministry of Environment’s Recycling Regulation, which was amended in 2011 to include packaging and printed paper. The organization representing and coordinating collection for the majority of businesses who supply packaging and printed paper to residents of BC is Multi-Material British Columbia (MMBC).

In March 2014, MMBC informed the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) that not all existing recycling depots in the RDBN would be included in the program.

Currently, only a small number of communities within the RDBN are receiving curbside collection: Smithers, Telkwa, the Nak’azdli First Nation and Fort St. James. Depot collection service is being provided in Fort St. James, but has been delayed in Burns Lake until a suitable building is located. MMBC will not be providing recycling services in the following areas: Houston, Granisle, Fraser Lake, Vanderhoof, Area “A” Smithers Rural, and Area “E” residents located on the south side of Francois Lake.

For those areas not being serviced by MMBC, existing recycling services funded by the RDBN will continue for the rest of 2014. Residents will be able to continue using the following recycling facilities:

For more information on Multi-Material BC’s program, please visit www.multimaterialbc.ca, email info@multimaterialbc.ca or call 1-888-980-9549. For any other inquiries, please contact the RDBN Environmental Services Department at 1-800-320-3339.

Printed Paper	Packaging

Stay tuned for updates on Printed Paper and Packaging EPR.