Multi Material BC (MMBC) says they’re helpless when it comes to expanding their curb-side recycling service.
On Tuesday the District of Vanderhoof expressed frustration about being wait-listed for the provincial curb-side recycling program. However MMBC says it’s out of their hands.
“We have a thousand members who are paying their fair share for what they put into the marketplace” said Managing Director Allen Langdon. “There’s another few hundred, including the entire newspaper industry, that are not making any contribution to the recycling system.”
The curb-side recycling program is funded by businesses across the province who are required to pay a levy on recyclable goods, but Langdon says a lot of businesses aren’t paying up.
“The people who are already in the program are paying their fair share. There’s no issue.” said Langdon. “The issue is there’s companies that are outside the program, that are obligated under the regulation, that we need to join the program so we can have the funds available to add additional communities in a sustainable manner.
According to Langdon, it’s up to the Ministry of Environment to enforce the regulations. Until more businesses sign on, he says there simply isn’t enough funding to expand the recycling program.