Alberta Environment and Parks announced Extended Producer Responsibility Engagement

The Minister of Environment and Parks announced that the ministry will start engaging Albertans on an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approach to plastics, packaging, paper, and household hazardous waste. AUMA has long advocated for an EPR framework and an EPR packaging and paper program, and we appreciate Minister Nixon for listening to AUMA members.

Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) also published an EPR discussion paper focusing on three-policy changes – EPR framework, EPR household hazardous waste, and EPR packaging and paper programs. The discussion paper is designed to inform stakeholders and ask questions to gather stakeholder feedback.

The ministry is also planning virtual sessions with stakeholders. Please complete the ministry’s availability poll with your preferred time to attend a virtual engagement session. AEP will be working to group stakeholders with similar interests to the extent possible. Some sessions may have a mix of sectors to maximize participation at times convenient to stakeholders. Virtual sessions will run from March 30 to April 14, 2021.

AUMA has started reviewing the discussion paper and is in the process of developing a process to seek your input and share our preliminary positions with members. To learn AUMA’s perspectives on an EPR packaging and paper program, please visit the Alberta Collaborative EPR Study.