Examining potential business impacts from the implementation of an extended producer responsibility program for printed paper and packaging waste in Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract

Mismanagement of recyclable materials contributes to an inefficient economy and demands use of more raw resources, while wasting valuable secondary resources in the process. Historically, the onus for coordinating recycling programs has fallen onto taxpayers and governments, which requires significant capital financing and labour for solid waste management. Large volumes of packaging and printed paper (PPP) materials in the marketplace has municipalities, including in the Atlantic Canadian province of Nova Scotia, shouldering the burden of residential recycling programs that are increasingly costly to the administer. A waste management approach known as the extended producer responsibility (EPR) principle leverages financial resources of producers to fund the recycling of their products. Several EPR for PPP programs already exist across Canada, and efforts are underway by local governments across Nova Scotia to pursue EPR for PPP. This research examined potential impacts of EPR for PPP on Nova Scotia's business community, comprised of many small enterprises. Through a combination of literature review, classification of national steward data, and analysis of provincial business data, findings show that a small subset of industries are most impacted by EPR for PPP across Canada, and higher grossing businesses are required to fund EPR for PPP, and less so small, local enterprises. Analysis revealed that only 8.3% of all businesses operating within Nova Scotia would likely become obligated stewards in the province's proposed program. Lastly, recommendations are proposed to both reduce detrimental impacts on provincial businesses, and to gain the maximal benefits of EPR for PPP for improved recycling systems. Recommendations focussed on fair exemption conditions appropriate to the local region, harmonization of EPR for PPP across Atlantic Canada, developing material specific fees, and investments in local recycling end-markets.