Ecomodulation, a key lever of producer financial participation

The financial contribution producers must make to the curbside recycling system is not only determined by the amount and type of materials reported, system cost, and the total amount of materials reported by all producers. The compatibility of collected or marketed materials with recycling or recovery infrastructure also makes a difference.

Ecomodulation measures incentivize the use of easily recyclable materials and penalize the use of materials that are non-recyclable or that impede the processing of other materials.

Rates by material

Every material that must be reported is assigned a rate according to its type and its suitability for a recycling stream. Put simply, these rates are calculated based on the answers to three questions:

How does the material behave at the sorting centre (MRF)?
Can it be sorted, processed, and recycled so it can have a second life?
Will it disrupt the recycling of other materials?

Key determinants of the rates for each material subject to a fee

Total costs of curbside recycling
Net cost for each material
Quantity of reported containers, packaging, and printed paper
Recovery rate of each material

Consult the materials guide and the Fee Schedule page to see the fees for the containers, packaging, and printed materials you place on the market.

Incentives

1. Credit for post-consumer recycled content

Do you market containers, packaging, and/or printed matter made from recycled materials? You could get a 20% credit applied to your contribution if you meet or exceed the post-consumer recycled content thresholds.

How do I apply for the credit?

Complete the application form and submit it to service@eeq.ca. Make sure your report is submitted by the deadline.
Submit all supporting documents for each of the materials concerned no later than thirty (30) days following the reporting deadline.

Required supporting documents

"Printed matter" category

Recognized certification (e.g., FSC-recycled content)
Letter of confirmation from the supplier specifying the quantity and type of material used (a copy of the letter must be sent directly to ÉEQ by the supplier)
ISO 14001 certification with specific mention of recycled content

"Containers" and "Packaging" categories

Recognized certification (e.g., FSC-recycled content for fibres)
Letter of confirmation from the supplier specifying the quantity and type of material used (a copy of the letter must be sent directly to ÉEQ by the supplier)
ISO 14001 certification with specific mention of recycled content
BNQ 8952-911 certification

2. Ecodesign incentive bonus

We want to reward you for following ecodesign principles when designing your containers and packaging. That’s why you could get a bonus in the form of a credit note applicable on the amount of an upcoming financial participation.

What are the eligibility criteria for the bonus?

Be a member of Éco Entreprises Québec and have paid the full Producer Financial Participation
Have produced a detailed report
Have marketed one or more ecodesigned containers or packages during the current calendar year
Have submitted your bonus application on time
Agree to allow Éco Entreprises Québec to share your ecodesign best practices.

Awarded cases by producers

Consult awarded cases

See case studies

What can a bonus request yield?

Bonus percentages applicable to ten eco-design actions divided into four themes
Maximum credit of $25,000 per application
A minimum bonus of $5,000, or equal to the company’s total contribution if it is less than $5,000
Up to a $60,000 credit for combined applications

How do I submit an application?

Fill out the form with the details of the ecodesign actions you have taken.
Send the form to bonusecoconception@eeq.ca before the deadline for the first payment of your financial participation.

Would you like more details on eligible actions or how to prepare your application?

Consult the Ecodesign Incentive Bonus Guide and our FAQ.

Financial penalty (malus)

We have introduced a penalty to discourage the use of materials that cannot be easily recycled or that disrupt the processing of other materials. This penalty is also a reminder of the economic and environmental impact of the containers, packaging, and printed paper you market.

The amounts from the penalty will be deposited into a fund intended to support initiatives aimed at accelerating the use of recyclable materials compatible with the curbside recycling system.

These penalties apply to...

Any company that markets containers, packaging, and printed paper, and that submits a detailed report
Any container or packaging whose predominant material is subject to a penalty

Our Malus Guide outlines how the malus is applied and provides examples of substitutions of targeted materials. You can access it right here.

Consult the guide

Which materials are penalties are apllied to?

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

PVC is a plastic material that has been used for many years to make containers and packaging. It is accepted in recycling bins, but it does not have a recycling pathway. It cannot be processed or reintroduced into the market. Because it contains chlorine and additives, it can disrupt the recycling of other materials, affect operations in sorting centres, and cause problems for the environment and health.

Polylactic acid (PLA) and other degradable plastics

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a plastic material typically made from corn starch or sugar cane. It is increasingly used to manufacture containers and food packaging.

Biodegradable plastics contain additives to accelerate their breakdown into small pieces, which contributes to the microplastic problem.

These materials are not accepted in recycling bins. As our report on this material shows, there are no adequate pathways for processing these materials at the end of their life.

The penalty is a percentage of the contribution amount related to the targeted materials and is automatically applied to the first payment of the current year. For 2024, the penalty rate is equal to 20 % of the contribution related to PVC, PLA and other degradable plastics. For the 2025 SoC, the penalty rate is increased to 50 %.

Search