Case Study: Program Operations for Paint Recycling in Ontario

How Does Focused Advocacy Benefit Members?

ISSUE

Program operations for paint recycling in Ontario is the responsibility of all paint stewards, the brand owners, who pay 100 percent of the costs of operating the program. In 2012 the coatings industry was continually frustrated by the paint recycling program in Ontario under the Waste Diversion Act because it lacked sound governance, too costly for members and inefficient. Members demanded change.  

ACTION

Members wanted a solution and the CPCA Board decided to move forward with a plan to establish its own Industry Stewardship Plan in Ontario and after extensive negotiations and lobbying with the Ministry of Environment, the program operator and relevant oversight authorities we were successful in getting a better approach for paint stewardship in the Province. 

RESULT

In 2014 the first ever Industry Stewardship Plan was established in Ontario under a new program operator, Product Care Association, which continues to exceed expectations on paint recycling in Ontario, under sound governance with efficient operations. Members and other paint stewards in the industry were pleased with the result.