Nova Scotia adds items to extended producer responsibility programs

The Nova Scotia government on Wednesday announced new extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for batteries, lamps, and small household electric appliances, as well as packaging, paper products and other blue bag materials.

An EPR program makes the producer of an item accountable for the end-of-life management of that item, thus improving recycling efforts and supporting waste reduction goals.

“Nova Scotia has long been a leader in recycling and composting,” Environment Minister Tim Halman said in a news release.

“Nova Scotians are proud of their efforts and they want us to do more to show that leadership,” he said. “Growing the circular economy is a key action for fighting climate change, and extended producer responsibility programs are one of the best ways we can grow our circular economy.”

The circular economy refers to retaining and recovering as much value as possible from resources by reusing, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, repurposing or recycling products and materials.

Nova Scotia’s commitment to a circular economy is outlined in the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act.

The new EPR programs fall under two sets of regulations. The solid waste-resource management regulations now include programs for batteries, lamps and small, household electric appliances, such as irons, can openers and hair dryers.

A new set of EPR regulations, meanwhile, covers packaging, paper products and materials in the residential blue bag recycling program, making producers responsible to pay for, collect, and recycle the materials.

Producers will have to meet recycling targets that will encourage more eco-friendly packaging and reduce single-use plastics. Having producers cover the cost of recycling will save Nova Scotia municipalities around $25 million annually.

“By adding four new extended producer responsibility programs, we are reaffirming Nova Scotia’s position as a leader in sustainable waste resource management and building a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future for generations to come,” Halman said.

The new programs will take effect on different dates over the next 28 months.

By 2030, the province aims to reduce waste disposal rates to 300 kilograms per person per year. EPR programs are a crucial step to achieve that milestone.

Nova Scotia already has EPR programs for some electronics, paint, used oil and glycol.

The Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, passed on Nov. 4, 2021, by the majority Progressive Conservative government, has 28 goals to address climate change, reduce waste and guide the province to a cleaner and more prosperous future; one of the goals is to support the growth of a circular economy by expanding extended producer responsibility.