CFIB calls for exemptions from new BC recycling program

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – BC businesses are warning you that you will be on the hook for a costly new recycling program that comes into effect in May.

An organization called Multi Material BC is enforcing the new regulations, which make businesses pay for the waste they generate through their packaging.

“This is definitely a bad public policy; it’s not going to achieve its goals. It’s just going to add needless red tape and it’s going to cost consumers on the goods that they buy,” says Mike Klassen with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

He calls the new fees “crushing.”

“It’s going to kill jobs and potentially strangle some businesses throughout BC. I don’t think the premier wants to have that happen, so I think she needs to take a harder look at this and exempt small business right away,” he argues.

The CFIB says there’s no evidence these new regulations will help make business “greener and cleaner.”

In a statement to News1130, Multi-Material says it is disappointed in the statement issued by the CFIB, saying it’s a misrepresentation of the recycling program.

The MMBC goes on to say that the program will enable the recycling of some materials for the first time, including milk cartons, foam polystyrene, plant pots, aluminum foil packaging, plastic film packaging and drink cups.

It is estimated that only a fraction of the more than 385,000 businesses in BC will be affected.

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