Passage of Bill 65 — An Act to amend mainly the Environment Quality Act with respect to deposits and selective collection

major milestone towards the implementation of a circular economy for curbside recycling materials  

Montréal, March 12, 2021 – Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) salutes the unanimous passage of Bill 65, introducing the modernization of curbside recycling. This is a crucial step towards implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for containers, packaging, printed matter and newspapers (C, P, PM & N) producers place on the market. This bill signals the end of the status quo for companies who have financed the system for 15 years without having control over it. 

The goal of this reform is to place companies at the heart of the curbside recycling system by giving them full responsibility for C, P, PM & N they place on the market, from design to recycling, while prioritizing local markets as we work towards a circular economy. Finally, with EPR, companies will no longer be responsible only for financing a system that has reached its limits. 

Cooperation towards the development of the regulation 

Reiterating its desire to act as the future designated management organization for the transition period, Éco Entreprises Québec is committed to actively continuing its cooperation with government bodies and all curbside recycling partners”, said Maryse Vermette, CEO of Éco Entreprises Québec. 

The next steps to modernize curbside recycling will be to develop and submit the draft regulation, which will define the concept of EPR. ÉEQ wishes to reiterate that the principles of EPR must be respected. The upcoming regulation must also enable businesses to meet their responsibilities with agility and the necessary room to maneuver, as well as with equity. It is also essential that the regulation includes a mechanism to ensure complementarity between the deposit and curbside recycling systems. 

About Éco Entreprises Québec 

Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) is a private non-profit organization that represents companies who market containers, packaging and printed matter in Quebec in their responsibility to finance the costs of effective and efficient municipal curbside recycling services. 

As an expert, ÉEQ optimizes the curbside recycling value chain and implements innovative approaches with a view to sustainable development and circular economy. 

– 30 – 

Information: 

Marie-Claude Tremblay, Senior Advisor, Public Affairs, Éco Entreprises Québec  

514 250-6442 | mctremblay@eeq.ca