CARI Provides Input to Government

The Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI), Ajax, Ontario, is providing input to a Canadian federal government initiative to take full economic advantage of Canada’s natural resources.

The Canadian Ministries of Industry and Human Resources Development released two papers this year urging a long-term national commitment and partnership to be put in place for Canada to maximize its role in the global economy.

According to an item in the CARI newsletter The Pulse, “Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) asked CARI to provide a recycling sector action plan to incorporate into its initiative for the whole Canadian resource sector.”

In its plan, CARI cited two major issues that must be addressed to promote recycling. “First, recycling must be separated from the waste industry and regulated appropriately. Second, efforts to support recycling must focus on the demand for recycled materials,” the association contended.

Regarding federal regulations, there is a need for recycling to be treated equally with the primary resource industry from a tax perspective, according to CARI.

As far as increasing recycling, CARI urged that governments at all levels in Canada “show leadership by developing and implementing ‘green’ procurement policies."

Education was another factor that was needed to increase demand for recycled products, according to CARI. The group is recommending a national campaign to reach from the classroom to the boardroom. Packaging labeling with recycled content information is also being urged by CARI.

CARI has been asked to attend the NRCan’s workshop in October to continue its input into the ongoing program.