Proposed changes to provincial recycling legislation have put curbside recycling on hold in Prince George.
In May the provincial government passed an order in council to make producers of packaging materials and printed paper products - including newspapers, phone books and flyers - physically and financially responsible for the collection and recycling if their used products. Producers will have until November, 2012 to submit stewardship plans to the provincial government and implementation must be completed by May, 2014.
Regional District of Fraser-Fort George environmental services manager Petra Wildauer said the regional district had nearly completed its three-year feasibility study on curbside recycling when the province announced the changes.
"The feasibility study provided options on how to implement a curbside recycling program," Wildauer said. "The ultimate goal of the stewardship program is to defer the responsibility of the end of life to the producer... not the solid waste management system."
Ontario, and many European countries, have stewardship programs for paper and packaging already in place, Wildauer said.
"Ontario is a highly-challenging province to discuss," Wildauer said. "Yes, curbside recycling is in place. [But] there is huge discussion of who should pay for what. That's essentially why our board decided to hold off until we have some clarity around who will pay."
Product stewardship programs are already in place in B.C. for products including beverage containers, tires, electronics, lead-acid batteries, used paint, oil, antifreeze, solvents and pharmaceuticals.
In 2009 the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment set national targets for extending product stewardship to packaging and printed materials by 2015. By 2017, the goal is to further extend product stewardship to construction and demolition waste, furniture, textiles, carpets and appliances.
Had the province not legislated the product stewardship changes, Wildauer said, the regional district would now be in a position to develop a curbside recycling plan.
"The feasibility study provided capital costs and per household costs. That would have allowed the board of directors, and the city [of Prince George], to begin the hurdle of budgeting for programs."
