Substantial investments in curbside recycling

Québec’s 2020–2021 budget tabled by Finance Minister Éric Girard

Montréal, March 12, 2020 – Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ), the non-profit organization that represents thousands of companies in their responsibility to finance the collection and sorting of the contents of recycling bins, highlights the investments to support the modernization of the curbside recycling system announced by Finance Minister Éric Girard in his recent budget. 

A total of $20M is planned over two years so sorting centres can pursue their efforts to increase the quality of the recyclable materials they process. To foster the diversification of outlets for recycled plastics, the government will also allocate a further $6M over three years under the 2020–2021 budget. These sums are in addition to the $100M in the 2019 budget to fund better waste management.

“In the current context of the recycling crisis, these investments are coherent with the reforms in curbside recycling announced on February 11 that entrust the system’s management to the companies that already fund it,” affirmed Maryse Vermette, president and chief executive officer of ÉEQ. “In addition, ÉEQ’s market development and sorting technologies group has already established an action plan for plastics to increase the recycling rates of all recovered plastics by consolidating the supply chain, from sorting to conditioning and recycling. The plan will support the sector initiatives led by the federal and provincial governments. We are therefore ready to collaborate with all stakeholders very soon to meet the needs of Québec’s recyclers and conditioners,” she added.

Concretely, the investments will be made to ensure the success of the modernization of curbside recycling by

  • guaranteeing the use of eco-designed, recycled and recyclable materials
  • providing for the recovery and recycling of containers, packaging and printed matter
  • fostering the development of local markets from a circular economy perspective

Finally, the initiation of the work to formulate the government’s new sustainable development strategy has created the ideal opportunity to lead by example and integrate responsible procurement into the government and municipal sectors through the use of recycled materials in, for example, road infrastructures, urban furniture, office supplies and hygiene products.

About Éco Entreprises Québec

Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) is a private non-profit organization that represents the companies that place containers, packaging and printed matter on the market in Québec 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.

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Information
Marie-Claude Tremblay
Senior Advisor, Public Affairs

Éco Entreprises Québec
514 250-6442

mctremblay@eeq.ca