PROVINCE ANNOUNCES REVIEW OF RECYCLING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

The following Manitoba press release isn’t specific to cottagers but WCA wants to spread the word and get as many of our members as possible to share their opinions.

The public survey will be available on engagemb.ca until February 10

January 21 2021 Press Release

Protecting the Environment Remains the Priority: Guillemard The province has launched a comprehensive review of waste management and recycling in Manitoba, including a public survey that has been posted on EngageMB.ca, Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard announced today. “We are excited at the possibilities this review will explore as we continue to look for options to improve waste diversion and recycling in Manitoba,” said Guillemard. “The intent is to improve programming and reduce the amount of waste heading to landfills.” The existing approach to recycling and waste diversion has been in place for over a decade. With recent innovations and advancements in technology, this is an opportune time to reflect on current practices and to explore opportunities for strengthening waste management systems in order to divert even more waste from landfills, the minister noted. The products entering the marketplace and the technologies available to manage current and emerging waste streams are constantly evolving, and Manitoba’s approach to recycling and waste diversion needs to keep pace with this change. The review will support a mandate to modernize the regulatory and programming frameworks for waste diversion and recycling and to drive innovation with the private sector and municipalities in Manitoba. The review will include: • a policy landscape and best practice scan; • a regulatory review of the Waste Reduction and Prevention Act; • an evaluation of Manitoba stewardship programs and the waste reduction and recycling support levy; and • a stakeholder and public engagement to inform recommendations. Manitoba has 12 industry-funded stewardship programs that provide recycling and safe disposal options for everyday products such as paper and packaging, batteries, tires and electronic waste, among others, Guillemard noted. An important part of the review will be to engage with and learn from the public, industry, municipalities and other waste management stakeholders. A public survey has been launched and stakeholder workshops will be held to collect feedback and gain insights on how to improve the regulatory and programming frameworks for waste diversion and recycling in Manitoba. By harnessing innovation and working together, Manitoba can become the cleanest and greenest province in Canada, the minister said. The public survey is available at https://engagemb.ca/ and will be open to public input until Feb. 10. A final report is expected to be delivered to the Manitoba government later this spring, the minister added. For more information: Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.