Government hits industry for $29 million to run Blue Box (April 18, 2005)

Stewardship Ontario, the quasi government-industry group set up by the Ontario government to administer the Blue Box recycling programs in the province, has collected more than $29 million from industry since spring of 2004. The money has been distributed to 189 municipalities to help offset the ballooning costs of the Blue Box program.
Under the Waste Diversion Act, 2002 companies that are brand owners and first importers of record are required to fund 50% of the net cost of municipal Blue Box recycling programs. The amount each municipal program receives is determined by how cost efficient their Blue Box program is, the range of materials they collect and the tonnage each diverts from disposal. The program covers all printed paper and packaging materials, including glass, plastic, metal, paper and textiles, whether the materials are diverted in the Blue Box or managed through disposal.