Policy

Blue Box Transition to Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR)

Resources have been compiled to aid municipalities in preparing for transition of Ontario’s Blue Box Program to an individual producer responsibility (IPR) system. As new resources become available, they will be posted to this section.

Templates, Tools & Resources

Cost Models

Depot Costing Model

This model is designed to help plan costs to expand, construct and operate depots receiving under 500 tonnes/yr. of recyclables.

Small Municipality Full Cost Accounting Toolkit

This toolkit employs accounting inputs to create a full cost accounting of recycling programs. For more information, contact CIF Staff.

Landfill Cost Model

This cost model is designed to help determine the cost allocation of recyclables entering/consuming available landfill capacity. The model calculates the present value of the costs required to establish, operate and conduct post-closure monitoring over the life of the landfill and allocate these costs on a densified volume basis.

Curbside Collection Cost Model

This ABC Tool was developed for a workshop in 2016. It is an excel spreadsheet designed to help estimate the full costs of capital, staffing and other resources required to provide curbside collection services. See also the presentation and handouts from the workshop. To update the worksheet or for more information please contact Laurie Westaway.

Related: Project #965

MRF Materials Processing Cost Model

This ABC Tool is designed to help estimate and allocate the full costs of processing individual materials in a Material Recovery Facility. For more information, please contact Carrie Nash.

Blue Box Program ABC Cost Model

The intent of this model is to support municipalities and provide them with an understanding of the impact they may incur by transitioning to EPR/IPR or alternative options. (Watch this two-minute video of municipal staff explaining why Council decided to fund a major Activity Based Costing project).

Collection and Diversion Options Analysis

An integrated curbside waste collection model for the consideration of future collection service options. Model evaluates costs, GHG emissions, and diversion rates with the implementation of various policies including clear bags for garbage, pay-as-you-throw, containerized garbage collection, mandatory separation, garbage bag/container limits, and material bans.

2020 IPR Transition Financial Planning Model 

The purpose of this model is to aid municipalities in pinpointing and qualifying the most economical timeline to transition Blue Box systems to Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) between 2023-2025. Updated from a previous version (see City of Barrie CIF Project #1041), the updated model incorporates unique collection and services inputs that improve its utility for other Ontario municipalities. Upgrades have included Material Recycling Facility ownership, multiple depots, multi-collection contract scenarios (including municipal forces), and the option to transition either/or single family and multi-residential collection services.

Committee and Council Reports
RFP/Tender Samples and Clauses

The CIF has also compiled a preliminary list of Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) transition clauses that may be used for future RFP/Tender documents and a sample Collection and Processing RFP, including annotations, explanations, better practices and alternate worded clauses.

Asset Valuation

Municipalities owning major Blue Box related assets and businesses may need to value them prior to making decisions to retain or divest Blue Box operations following transition to IPR.

CIF Funded Projects: Transition
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  • Best Practices
  • Centre of Excellence
  • Cost Models

#977 EPR Activity Based Costing Model

This project will provide Toronto with an accurate account of its’ total cost of blue box services; outline a number of the key considerations during implementation and transition to EPR; and provide Activity Based Costing tools for use in Toronto and across the Province. Project # Proponent CIF Funding Documents EPR Analysis Template for Municipalities […]

#1043 Ottawa: Collection and Diversion Options Analysis

This project seeks to develop an integrated curbside waste collection model for the consideration of future collection service options for the City of Ottawa in light of the transition to 100% EPR of the Blue Box program. Project # Proponent CIF Funding Documents Integrated Curbside Waste Collection Model Development: Technical Memorandum Synopsis Collection Options Analysis […]

#1041 Barrie: Operational and Financial Impact of EPR Policy Changes

This project aims to provide the City of Barrie with an understanding of what the a-BBPP and the broader move towards IPR means for them and their residents from a financial and operational sense. Project # Proponent CIF Funding Documents Synopsis IPR Transitional Support Model

#1056 London: RFP Development: Technical Support for EPR Transition

The City of London will be releasing a Request for Proposals in the summer of 2018 for comprehensive recycling services (collection, processing and marketing of recyclables). This project seeks to include clauses and procedures that will guide the purchasing process and eventual contractual agreement under transition to full producer responsibility of the Blue Box program. […]

#1046 Stratford: RFP Development: Technical Support for Transition to Full EPR

The City of Stratford will be releasing a Request for Proposals in the summer of 2018 for comprehensive recycling services (collection and processing of recyclables). This project seeks to include clauses and procedures that will guide the purchasing process and eventual contractual agreement under transition to full producer responsibility of the Blue Box program. Project […]

#973 Development of ABC Tools and Transitional Strategies

A project to produce checklists, tools and/or asset valuation methodologies applicable to non-standard program operating structures designed to have Province-wide value for those groups, as well as conventional municipal programs operating non-contract, in-house, waste diversion programs. Project # Proponent CIF Funding Documents Final Report: Municipally Operated MRFs: Blueprint for Full Producer Responsibility Transition

#975 Full Cost Accounting Study & Data Acquisition Template Development

This Full Cost Accounting Study will develop a data acquisition template that can be used for other municipalities.  A common methodology leveraged through the template to capture full costs will benefit the broad municipal sector as the new legislation is enacted and policy statements are developed. Project # Proponent CIF Funding Documents Final Report: York […]

#993 EPR Business Case Analysis and ABC Tools

The development of an asset valuation guide and a business case analysis would be advantageous to municipalities considering questions about future value of assets. Business case financial tools and/or asset valuation methodologies developed for generic use will have significant value for municipalities needing to answer questions about retention or sale of program assets. Project # […]

#965 Vaughan – Collection RFP Planning: Cost Allocation Modeling & Determining the Financial Implications of Expanded Multi-Residential Service

Preparation for the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for collection services for the City of Vaughan including: the development of a Multi-Residential (MRes) collection service policy best practice; refinement of CIF’s existing MRes database resource; third party review of change of law and, or EPR-specific terms, as well as other established RFP best […]

#988 EPR Transitional Support – Small Municipal Cost Models

In preparation for transition under the new provincial EPR legislation, members of the LaCloche Foothills Municipal Association and neighbouring municipalities propose to complete an analysis of member costs and program performance; and development of a landfill cost model to inform their decisions about prioritizing diversion activities.  The project deliverable is expected to serve as a […]

CIF Connections Blog: Transition
December 23, 2020

CIF Windup Plan approved by RPRA

On Wednesday December 16, 2020 the CIF Windup Plan was approved by the Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority (RPRA). The plan includes important details about the windup and operation of the CIF in coming years. The CIF Windup Plan lays out a timeline to windup the CIF in accordance with the Minister’s directives. According to the [...]

November 27, 2020

Transitioning to IPR: Understanding potential operational impacts

Over the last few months the CIF has been releasing information to help its stakeholders understand the potential operational implications of the proposed new regulation under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 for the blue box. As the December 3, 2020 comment period for the proposed new regulation is fast approaching, the following provides [...]

November 20, 2020

Proposed blue box regulation details eligible sources and service standards

The proposed new Blue Box regulation under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, released by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) on October 19, 2020, details the eligible sources for collection and service standards required during and after transition. Residences, facilities and public spaces considered eligible sources The proposed new [...]

November 4, 2020

Single-Use Plastics: Ban, recycle or both?

Earlier in October, the Federal government released a discussion paper “A proposed integrated management approach to plastic products”, outlining a proposal to ban single-use plastics starting in 2021. How does the Federal government’s proposed management strategies for single-use packaging align with Ontario’s draft blue box regulation? To kick off Ontario’s 2020 Waste Reduction Week, Ontario’s Ministry [...]

October 29, 2020

A first look at the proposed new blue box regulation

On Monday, October 19, 2020, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks proposed a new regulation under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 for the blue box. It makes producers of products and packaging fully responsible for the waste they create. The Proposal is posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario for [...]

October 13, 2020

When Theory Meets Practice: Lessons from Decades of Packaging EPR Experiences in Europe

Ontario is undertaking a transition to full extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging and paper products under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act (the “RRCEA”). At their core, EPR policies seek to ensure that the pricing of products incorporates their social and environmental life-cycle costs, including end-of-life treatment and disposal. When products accurately incorporate [...]

August 7, 2020

Part III. Learnings from British Columbia: Advice for Transition

In this installment of CIF’s blog mini-series, we are continuing to share insight and advice from British Columbia’s Product Stewardship Council (BCPSC) based on their experience with transition. This week we are focusing on the decision-making process regarding whether or not to remain engaged as a contractor to a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) once transition [...]

July 30, 2020

Part II. Learnings from British Columbia: Advice for Transition

In this second installment of CIF’s blog mini-series we continue to share learnings from our engagement with the British Columbia Product Stewardship Council (BCPSC) on their collective experience with transitioning to a full producer responsibility model. Here are this week's learnings... Regulation elements can impact how well materials are captured Targets will help ensure stewarded [...]

July 24, 2020

Part I. Learnings from British Columbia: Advice for Transition

British Columbia (BC) has the only Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper products (PPP) in North America where producers have full responsibility for the financing and operation of the province-wide residential recycling system. As Ontario moves toward the transition of its Blue Box program to an Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) framework, municipalities [...]

June 15, 2020

Watch this space: How will ineligible sources be impacted by transition to IPR?

In the June 3 article published by the Globe and Mail, Environment Minister Yurek has been quoted as saying that despite the pandemic, Ontario’s draft residential Packaging and Printed Paper (PPP) program regulation(s) are still on track to be made public in the coming months. While details are not yet known, municipalities can begin to [...]

June 5, 2020

Financial model assists in identifying preferred transition date

Despite COVID-19, June 30 remains the deadline to submit council resolutions to AMO that self-identify a preferred recycling program transition time. To inform this decision, the CIF has been working with the Region of Peel, the City of Ottawa, and RSM Canada Consulting LP on a model that will assist municipalities, taking into consideration operational [...]

April 16, 2020

Guide for Developing a Waste Management Service Contingency Plan now available

Over the years a number of municipalities have encountered challenges related to labour disruptions, contractor performance issues, or shutdowns at processing facilities associated with Blue Box program operations. While no one can anticipate every possible situation, a contingency plan can help prepare a municipality for when these challenges arise. The CIF has developed a Guide [...]

April 7, 2020

Force Majeure: Are you ready?

A “force majeure” clause is included in contracts to relieve the parties of their obligations in the event of significant unforeseen circumstances that are typically outside of their control. Essentially, it is a contract provision that relieves the parties from performing their contractual obligations when circumstances beyond their control arise, making performance illegal, impossible and/or [...]

April 3, 2020

Draft Final CIF Windup Plan released for consultation

On August 15, 2019, the Honourable Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks directed the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) and Stewardship Ontario (SO) to, amongst other things, develop a plan to windup the existing Blue Box Program Plan (BBPP) and the CIF as soon as practical and by no later than [...]

October 24, 2019

Unit Count Studies for Program and Transitional Planning: A Review of Two Methods

Managers of municipal curbside collection programs often have a hard time gathering up-to-date information on the number of units serviced in a collection route. This issue is even more difficult in areas with seasonal populations which leads to challenges reporting out in the RPRA Datacall. These difficulties are compounded when undergoing a collection contract change, […]

October 4, 2019

Maintaining Efficiency & Effectiveness (E&E) with a payback of 2.2 years

Working through contract renewals while awaiting transition The Region of Durham’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF) operating and maintenance contract was set to end, while at the same time the facility was struggling to accommodate an increased volume of inbound containers. The facility, which opened in 2007, was designed to manage a mix of materials that […]

August 23, 2019

The City of Barrie’s Scenario Impact Analysis in Preparation for Transition

Recycling at the City of Barrie's waterfront After much anticipation, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) has announced next steps related to Ontario’s Blue Box Program. The MECP has indicated that over the next six years, Stewardship Ontario (SO) will be required to develop a transition plan, in consultation with municipalities and other [...]

July 25, 2019

Time to Tender or Extend

The potential for the Blue Box Program to transition at any time to an Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) system has put pressure on municipal staff and contractors to manage contracted operations significantly beyond their original terms. Repeated contract extensions have pushed contractors to operate their equipment well into the late stages of its lifespan at [...]

July 19, 2019

City of Cornwall Shows It’s Possible to Establish a Beneficial Contract, Even in Uncertain Times

Photo courtesy of City of Cornwall The prospect of a new collection and processing contract is always going to be daunting. This process is compounded during times of uncertainty and impending regulatory change. Under Project 1075, the City of Cornwall (City) obtained assistance from the CIF to create a new collection and processing RFP, which [...]

May 31, 2019

Ontario Recycler Workshop Resources: Available for a limited time

This year marked the 25th time that municipal staff and other experts stepped up to share their up to the minute insights on  issues facing the Blue Box program service providers at the Ontario Recycler Workshop (ORW). Each speaker carefully crafted presentations to ensure that the full house of participants would walk away armed with […]

May 10, 2019

CIF launches new toolkit that simplifies full cost accounting for Ontario recycling programs

As existing diversion programs in Ontario begin transitioning to Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR), the importance of understanding the financial impact of these changes to municipalities is becoming increasingly clear. When Blue Box Program transition occurs, municipal staff will need to be prepared to inform their council of the service level and budgetary implications of turning [...]

April 4, 2019

Contract Clauses to Prepare Municipalities for Transition

In light of the uncertainty surrounding the pending transition to full produce responsibility, municipalities that are contracting for recycling services now, need to provide for the possibility that a change of law may significantly affect their program and/or the scope of work. Including transition clauses in new or updated contracts will help manage this uncertainty. […]

February 8, 2019

Making Investments in Uncertain Times: ‘How-to’ Advice from Waterloo Region

With news that transition to Full Producer Responsibility was expected to take hold in Ontario, but without a target date, Waterloo Region staff took a close look at the needs of its Material Recovery Centre (MRC). Since 2012, the Region had moved from 4-stream to 2-stream collection – where glass was commingled with other containers [...]

September 14, 2018

Keep Calm It’s RFP Season!

Asking the Right Questions During RFP Planning It’s RFP season! Well in reality, every season is RFP season! RFPs are a top priority for programs this year as it was clearly indicated by the volume of inquiries and the number of 2018 REOI applications requesting RFP support in one form or another. So, if you’re [...]

August 20, 2018

The Region of York and Its Local Municipalities Complete their Waste System Full Cost Accounting Study (CIF Project #975)

Ask any program manager about their operating budget and they can speak to it with confidence but ask them what portion of the Human Resources or central customer service costs are associated with waste management and it becomes a different discussion. Yet if producers end up hiring municipalities to provide Blue Box services across Ontario, [...]

July 20, 2018

Decision-Making Guide: How to Prepare for Transition

The transition to full producer responsibility (FPR) will see the role of municipalities change dramatically. CIF Project 1017, conducted with the Region of Niagara (Niagara), is designed to walk municipalities through the factors municipalities should consider to determine the role they might play once Ontario transitions to FPR. This blog presents considerable detail and there’s […]

April 27, 2018

Cost Accounting Models Used for Program and Transition Planning

During this period of policy and program change and the uncertainty that it generates, it’s important for municipalities to consider new tools available for use that provide sound evidence to aid in the decision-making process. The tools currently in development by the CIF and its partners are cost accounting models. Whether the Blue Box program [...]

March 22, 2018

Armour Township Stays Proactive Amidst Changing Conditions

Armour Township is making capital investments in its blue box program. Despite uncertainty around the amended Blue Box Program Plan (a-BBPP), changing markets and municipal partnerships and being a small rural northern municipality, Armour has stayed proactive in their approach. In the fall of 2017, Armour invested in a Stationary Recycling Compactor and two 40-yard […]

February 8, 2018

Niagara Prepares for the New World

So, what are you doing to prepare for the proposed amendment to the Blue Box Program Plan (a-BBPP)? The Regional Municipality of Niagara (Niagara) is preparing, with the assistance of CIF staff and funding, by completing an EPR business case analysis of its MRF and associated assets. Background The business case analysis involved market valuations [...]

October 27, 2017

One-Stop Shopping for EPR Transition Information

In Ontario, the transition to establish a full Extended Producer Responsibility program to manage Blue Box Recycling under the Waste-Free Ontario Act is well underway and picking up steam. The new approach will mean different things for different programs but it’s bound to impact us all. With this certainty comes a responsibility to keep up […]

December 15, 2016

EPR Update

On November 30, 2016, Waste Diversion Ontario transitioned to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) proclaimed as part of the new Waste-Free Ontario Act, 2016 that received Royal Assent in June. This means that RPRA, a new oversight, compliance, and enforcement organization, is now in operation under the direction of RPRA’s initial board of […]

May 16, 2016

Insights & Information at 2016 CIF Outreach Sessions

CIF staff recently completed spring outreach meetings around the Province, with municipal staff and politicians in Dryden, London, North Bay, Oliver Paipoonge, Peel, Smiths Falls, Spanish and Wawa. Despite some unforgiving late spring weather, participation was as strong as ever. Our sincere thanks to each host community and their staff for the great hospitality, to […]

April 18, 2016

Success in Establishing New Contracts in a Time of Change

Bill 151, the Waste Free Ontario Act raises questions for communities that need to establish new or extend existing contracts. Without knowing exactly when the legislation will come into force or what it will mean, it’s important to provide flexibility through shorter term contracting to prevent unfunded obligations or a need to break terms of […]

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