First of all, I am happy to…

First of all, I am happy to see these new proposals, but I do have some comments.

The people who are most impacted by the draft Blue Box proposal, through taxes, product costs, deterioration of the environment and of public human health, have not been sufficiently consulted. Industry, producers, other stakeholders had opportunities that the public did not. That should be rectified before the draft regulation is finalized, by having multiple "consultations or meetings" by virtual formats for the public. We are all stakeholders.

Some suggestions for BB regs:

1. Hold companies responsible for meeting high collection and recycling targets with detailed materials categories. This ensures that companies collect and recycle what they produce, or that they redesign a product or come up with new collection systems. Some targets are too low, such as for flexible and rigid plastics. The draft regulation includes very low plastic recycling targets. In 2030 producers will still be sending 60 per cent of their plastic bags, films, and pouches to landfills and incinerators; and 40 per cent of their plastic bottles, tubs, and jars. This is unacceptable.

2. Put strong enforcement and public oversight measures in place to ensure companies comply with the rules. Without serious reform, the proposed regulation will mean more of the same: growing amounts of plastic pollution in our landfills, rivers, and parks.

3. Not give exemptions for packaging companies label as “compostable” - most compostable packaging cannot be composted in municipal waste facilities.

4. Ensure all Ontarian residents have access to recycling services, including residents in apartments and condos, small municipalities and residential care homes, and when they are in public spaces.

5. Include waste and packaging created by businesses, institutions and the commercial sector, which accounts for two-thirds of waste in Ontario.

6. Address plastics in a more fulsome way,