NEW! Recycling program activities – An opportunity for the propane industry

Earlier this year, the Ontario government asked Stewardship Ontario (SO) to wind-up the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste program and develop both a plan for the windup and new program requirements to be administered by the new regulatory body Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority.

The CPA believes that these activities and similar recent moves by other provincial governments across the country offer an opportunity for the propane industry to develop and administer an industry-led national program for cylinder recycling. For instance, Saskatchewan recently released the Household Hazardous Waste Regulation Products Stewardship Regulation, which can be viewed here. The CPA is working on understanding the scope and next steps and will reach out to members in Saskatchewan.  

The newly appointed Ontario Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Jeff Yurek recently sent a revised mandate letter on this program to SO requesting the timeline be accelerated to wind up activities. It is important that the propane sector is not subject to ongoing, unnecessary program requirements and fees through a new program designed by bureaucrats who do not understand the industry and the value of its “waste”.  The propane sector is an original recycler and has been a true steward for generations.

CPA has retained Call2Recycle, a not-for-profit recycling organization with national experience operating battery and cellphone recycling programs, to develop a plan for propane cylinders. Key Ontario members were consulted and they endorsed the plan outline. The Association is moving ahead on a more fully detailed program, which can be viewed here: Canadian Propane Association – Regulatory Considerations. If you have any comments, please email them to Ontario Government Relations Director Marcelline Riddell.