Ontario is still dumping billions of bottles and cans while other provinces profit from a deposit-return recycling system. The province’s mounting waste problems has prompted Liberal MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon to introduce a private member’s bill calling for a deposit-return system for non-alcoholic beverage containers, aiming to reduce waste and pollution in one of the last provinces without such a program.
“Ontario is falling behind … after six years of Ford’s Conservative government,” McMahon said. “Every other province has this system, except Ontario and Manitoba. Why don’t we have it here?”
McMahon told Canada's National Observer that she has received more than 6,000 emails in support of a deposit-return system, the most feedback she has ever received on any issue.
“It’s shocking, but it shows how much Ontarians want this system,” McMahon said. “This common-sense solution will improve our recycling rate and help keep our cities, parks and water litter-free.”
A recent poll shows 81 per cent of Ontarians support an expanded deposit-return program for non-alcoholic beverages, and more than half want to return their empties to grocery and other retail stores. But the government said it would leave it up to manufacturers and retailers to figure out a system.
Currently, an estimated 1.7 billion plastic beverage containers end up in landfills, incinerators or as litter each year in Ontario. Manitoba is the only other province or territory without a deposit-return system for non-alcoholic drink containers.
Elsewhere in the country, deposit-return systems are diverting tonnes of waste from landfills and the environment. For instance, British Columbia achieved an 80 per cent return rate on beverage containers last year, diverting approximately 90,000 metric tonnes of waste. Quebec has also updated its deposit-refund system to double the number of redeemable beverage containers, aiming for a 90 per cent recovery rate by 2032.
“It’s not like we’re starting from scratch,” McMahon said. “There are existing successful models and lessons we can learn from.”
Last year, Ontario's Ministry of the Environment said it would establish a working group with representatives from the government, environmental organizations, consumer advocacy groups, recycling industry experts and business leaders to explore a deposit-return system for non-alcoholic drink containers. However, earlier this year, the ministry told Canada’s National Observer it has ruled out the idea, citing cost concerns “for small businesses and families,” but not providing its estimates.
Instead, the ministry said it will continue using the blue box system, which according to the Environmental Defence, currently captures only 43 per cent of beverage containers, the lowest rate in Canada.
Ontario has the Blue Box Program, which doesn't specifically track beverage containers, but includes various materials. The program's overall performance in 2021 was 53 per cent.
According to Environmental Defence, a deposit system could increase this rate to 90 per cent.
McMahon said she is frustrated with the government’s decision to disband the working group established to explore a deposit-return system. “They had time, energy and ideas invested in this process. We need answers,” she said, adding that the government has not been transparent about the decision.
McMahon said landfills are overflowing, and most communities are opposed to the creation of new sites. Her own riding of Beaches–East York, known for its swimmable beaches, are increasingly sullied by plastic pollution. Local groups like Lake Ontario Waterkeepers and the U of T Trash Team are frequently tasked with removing plastic waste from the lake and its surroundings.
“Plastic is a real problem,” McMahon said. “Anything we can do to divert plastic and litter from our parks, green spaces, lakes, waterways and streets is important.”
Tim Gray, executive director of Environmental Defence, described the bill as a “common-sense” solution to address the issue of litter from bottles and cans. He urged MPPs to support the bill and ensure its swift passage through the Legislature.
“It’s also a solution the vast majority of Ontarians support,” said Gray in a statement.
McMahon told Canada's National Observer that she hopes the people who wrote to support her motion also contact their own Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs).
“The government needs to hear from Ontarians — not just the premier, but individual MPPs too,” McMahon said. “This isn’t a partisan issue; it’s one of the least partisan issues out there.”
Comments
Not the main thrust, but please use the word non-alcohol. A great non-alcoholic beverage is scotch.
It is unfortunate that the Ford government is so out of touch with reality in this case. But to be fair, that is more likely that Doug Ford is too busy with his secret deals and filling the pork barrels of his corrupt donors than what Ontarians expect he should be doing.
Hopefully Ontarians will remember this next provincial election and kick him to the gutter where he belongs.