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

Blue Box Program ABC Cost Model

The intent of this model, developed for Project #1041, 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

Under Project #1043, this integrated curbside waste collection model was developed to consider 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.

Curbside Collection Cost Model

This ABC Tool was developed for a workshop in 2016 as part of Project #965. 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.

Depot Costing Model

This model, developed under Project #758, is designed to help plan costs to expand, construct and operate depots receiving under 500 tonnes/yr. of recyclables. For more information see the “Comparison of Recycling Depot Costs” final report.

EPR Activity Based Costing Model

Under Project #977, this template aims to support municipalities in better understanding the financial impact to their respective solid waste management divisions as the Province of Ontario transitions towards an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. See the instructions for further information.

IPR Transition Financial Planning Model

Developed under Project #1116, 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 (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.

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.

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.

Small Municipality Full Cost Accounting Toolkit

Developed under Project #1034, this toolkit employs accounting inputs to create a full cost accounting of recycling programs. The goal of this project was to field test existing CIF costing tools to determine program costs and then design internal accounting controls required for municipalities to actively track and report these costs.

Committee and Council Reports

September 10, 2019. Sample Committee Report: Update on Blue Box Transition to Full Producer Responsibility (Word)
- Supplemental Information for Staff (Word)
August 2017. Sample Template for Municipal Council Report (Word)
October 4, 2017. Township of Southgate Staff Report, AMO Municipal Forum on Transitioning the Blue Box for Full Extended Producer Responsibility

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.

Key Clauses
Annotated RFP (Word)

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.

MRF Business Valuation Sample RFP (Word) and RFP Proposal Evaluation Template (Excel)
- A sample template for consulting work to obtain a business valuation, strategic option evaluation and market analysis for a MRF processing business.
MRF Land and Building Appraisal Sample RFQ (Word)
- A sample RFQ issued by a municipality including the scope of work required to obtain the current local real estate fair market value of an owned MRF building/land excluding process equipment or business assets.
MRF Equipment Valuation Sample RFQ (Word) and Equipment Inventory Template (Excel)
- A sample template for listing MRF equipment details for use by the equipment valuation consultant contracted via the RFQ.

CIF Funded Projects: Transition

All
Best Practices
Centre of Excellence
Cost Models
Depots

#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 […]

#1116 2020 IPR Transition Financial Planning Model Ground Truthing

Data inputs and ground truthing of Transition Planning Model (Project #1115) for consideration of operational and financial implications from 2023-2025. Project # Proponent CIF Funding Documents Transition Planning Model

#758 Municipal Depot Working Group

The Municipal Depot Working Group is a CIF led working group established to provide support and resources to municipalities operating or planning depots. Project # Proponent CIF Funding Documents Final Report: Comparison of Recycling Depot Costs Depot Costing Model

#1115 2020 IPR Transition Financial Planning Model

Enhancements of Transition Planning Model for consideration of operational and financial implications from 2023-2025. Final model posted under Project #1116. Project # Proponent CIF Funding Documents

#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. Watch this two-minute video of municipal staff explaining why Council decided to fund a major Activity Based Costing project. Project # […]

#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. […]

#1034 Cost Allocation Field Test

The goal of this project is to field test existing CIF costing tools to determine program costs and then design internal accounting controls required for municipalities to actively track and report these costs. Project # Proponent CIF Funding Documents Final Report: Small Municipality Full Cost Accounting Toolkit Small Municipality Full Cost Accounting Toolkit

#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