Public Policy

On October 7, 2022, the RCA submitted a letter to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in response to its proposal to establish a Plastics Registry and regulate plastics labelling for recyclability and compostability.

The RCA supports the ECCC in its efforts to establish a registry to improve Canada-wide data transparency and consistent and accurate product labelling to restore consumer confidence in the performance of recycling systems.

Some of the feedback RCA provided included how ECCC has defined ‘recyclable’ and ‘end markets’ is problematic in that it’s the same way the industry is currently defining them. The definition should be the point at which a recycled raw material needs no further processing to be reincorporated into a new product or package.

RCA ECCC Response -Registry and Labelling

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging & Paper Products

RCA Releases Response to AEP’s EPR Consultation

January 2022: The RCA has developed a response to AEP’s request for input on EPR regulations for packaging, paper products and single-use plastics (PPP-SUP) and hazardous and special products (HSP).

2022-RCA_Submission – PDF DocumentDownload
2022-RCA_SubmissionAddendum – PDF DocumentDownload

Household Hazardous Waste Program Funding

RCA letter to AEP Minister Nixon (June 14, 2021)

Zero Plastic Waste

Coalition letter to Minister McKenna (May 7, 2018)

RCA’s Position on Shopping Bags

Single-use bags of any type represent wasteful resource use. Recycling of plastic and paper bags is environmentally preferable to disposal, but is less preferable than reduction and reuse options. The Recycling Council of Alberta supports programs that encourage the use of durable, reusable options rather than single-use shopping bags. Examples of these programs include financial incentives / disincentives and supporting education campaigns.