That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Environmental and Engineering Services and City Engineer, the following actions be taken with respect to a request by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for details on recycling transition:
a) the Mayor BE AUTHORIZED to advise the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) that the Corporation of the City of London would like to:
i) transition the collection of recyclables to full producer responsibility on January 1, 2023; and,
ii) examine opportunities of working with producers (industry) during the transition period (e.g., fee for services basis for recycling such as administration, education and awareness, contract management, monitoring and compliance);
it being noted that the Mayor has previously been authorized to advise MECP and AMO that the transition of processing and marketing of recyclables to full producer responsibility could occur on January 1, 2023; and,
b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to undertake the following actions as part of the transition process:
i) continue to take an active role in the development of the regulatory environment and implementation plans of the transition process through the Municipal 3Rs Collaborative (M3RCs) which is comprised of the AMO, Regional Public Works Commissioners of Ontario, Municipal Waste Association and the City of Toronto;
ii) ensure that producers (industry) are aware that an existing competitively awarded contract to collect recyclables is currently in place in London, and that opportunities to use the existing contractor (Miller Waste Systems) with mutually agreeable transition contract terms should be considered from January 1, 2023 to December 21, 2025, it being noted that this would further benefit London taxpayers as early contract termination fees could be reduced;
iii) ensure that the producers’ plan to transition residents, Municipal Elected Officials and City staff to the new system is accountable and transparent and also includes separate contingency plans developed by the City; and,
iv) ensure that producers are aware that opportunities to increase waste diversion, maximize resource recovery and optimize recycling system operations can be examined through the London Waste to Resources Innovation Centre and its business and academic collaborators for the benefit of all in Ontario and elsewhere. (2020-E07)