Paint and Coatings Industry Seeks Greater Focus on Producer Responsibility for Waste Diversion in Ontario

OTTAWA, April 22, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian paint and coatings industry now leads the world in post-consumer paint recycling with a waste diversion program in every Province of Canada. Under Product Care, the paint and coatings industry has been delivering waste diversion programs since 1994 when the first one was established in British Columbia. Product Care's proven model has now been adopted in the United States as it seeks to implement paint recycling programs across the country using best practices developed in Canada.

Since the Ontario Municipal Household Hazardous Waste (MHSW) program was launched in 2008 the paint and coatings industry has met or exceeded program targets for waste diversion.  "The paint and coatings industry has taken the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) seriously and despite significant challenges with administration of the program in Ontario, the industry continues to exceed government approved targets in the Province," commented Gary LeRoux, President of the Canadian Paint and Coatings Association.

The Waste Diversion Act (WDA) encourages producers to take increased responsibility for its waste under a provision of the Act called Industry Stewardship Plans (ISP). The industry has once again stepped up to the challenge for assuming greater responsibility and is now working with Waste Diversion Ontario on an ISP for responsible post-consumer paint recycling in Ontario. All paint and coatings members of CPCA have signed a letter of intent to move forward with a new program operator in Ontario.  Once approved the program will lead to better governance, improved transparency and it will ensure best practices are followed in post-consumer waste diversion.

"We are encouraged to learn that the Minister intends to move forward with proposed changes to the Waste Diversion Act that focus on outcomes over process with respect to waste diversion," said Gary LeRoux. The paint and coatings industry remains optimistic that it will achieve approved program targets ensuring the sector is responsible and sustainable over the long term.

Since 1913 the Canadian Paint and Coatings Association (CPCA) has represented Canada's major paint and coating manufacturers, and their industry suppliers, with three primary product categories: architectural paints, industrial and automotive coatings. The industry has more than 261 paint manufacturing establishments in Canada with annual sales of more than $6 billion and employing directly and indirectly 31,800 employees.

SOURCE: Canadian Paint & Coatings Association

For further information:

Susan Sykes
Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
Canadian Paint and Coatings Association
170 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 608
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5V5