Ontario Government consulting on proposed amendments to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 and the Blue Box Regulation
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) has proposed amendments to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA) and the Blue Box Regulation (O. Reg. 391/21) to support business needs by lowering the cost of the Blue Box system.
Both proposals are currently open to public consultation.
Proposed amendments to the RRCEA
The proposed amendments to the RRCEA include the collection of key information about the system that is not currently gathered, among other changes. The data is meant to improve the transparency of the system and help the ministry enhance the operational and financial effectiveness within the system.
The proposed changes to the RRCEA will be open for public consultation for 47 days, from June 4 to July 21, 2025. Learn more including how to provide feedback on the Environmental Registry of Ontario’s (ERO) Amendments to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act webpage.
Proposed amendments to the Blue Box Regulation
The proposed amendments to the Blue Box Regulation will, among other things:
- Delay recovery targets for paper, metal, glass, rigid plastic and beverage containers by 5 years
- Cancel the planned expansion of the Blue Box Program for multi-residential buildings, schools and specified long-term care homes and retirement homes
The amendments are a first step in a set of broader changes being considered to ensure manageable system costs while maintaining a consistent and sustainable residential recycling system.
The consultation on the proposed amendments will be open for 30 days, from June 4 to July 4, 2025. For more details or to provide feedback, visit the Amendments to the Blue Box Regulation webpage on the ERO.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the proposals, please contact Marc Peverini, Manager, Resource Recovery Policy Branch at [email protected] or 416-908-1528.