A new recycling scheme that was supposed to bring in more than $1 million for Kamloops may not be going ahead as planned — and the group responsible isn’t returning calls from the city.
Mayor Peter Milobar told council on Tuesday, March 4 ,that he heard from Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake that Multi Material B.C. (MMBC) has opted not to proceed with an agreement with the city that would significantly reduce recycling fees for homeowners as of next year.
But, Milobar added, attempts to verify what Lake has heard have been so far unsuccessful because no one at MMBC is talking.
“They don’t seem to want to return anyone’s phone calls,” Milobar said.
MMBC was created after the provincial government decided manufacturers of printed paper and packaging should be in charge of making sure their wares are recycled rather than thrown out.
Businesses that put paper products into customers’ hands — including restaurants, retailers and those who mail out printed statements — must register as stewards and pay fees to MMBC.
The organization had planned to offer curbside recycling services throughout the province, either by paying cities to continue with their existing collection programs or hiring contractors in areas without existing offerings.
In exchange for picking up recycling on MMBC’s behalf, the organization had pledged to provide the city with about $1.1 million a year. Public works director Jen Fretz had projected the city would save another $300,000 under the new system.
Fretz said the loss of that money won’t throw off the city’s budget this year, but plans for a major decrease in recycling fees in 2015 won’t work if MMBC isn’t paying.
Fretz and Milobar said they had heard the organization was having some difficulty getting enough producers of printed materials signed on to fund the program, but Fretz said staff with the MMBC had been nothing but optimistic about sealing a deal with Kamloops.
“We were literally waiting for the contract to come our way and waiting for the phone call,” she said.
If the city doesn’t sign on with the program this year, Fretz isn’t sure when it will be allowed in — or what will happen to the money it was promised.
“I’m surprised by what’s happened,” she said.
Beyond the money coming to Kamloops, Milobar said there are other issues of fairness.
“Why should retailers in Kamloops be subject to paying fees and levies to an organization that’s not providing any benefits to this region?” he asked.
It’s not clear if Kamloops is the only community being dropped from the program after agreeing to sign on with MMBC.
This isn’t the first time MMBC has garnered criticism.
Last fall, the Union of B.C. Municipalities passed a resolution demanding more time to negotiate with MMBC, which had originally asked communities to sign contracts with little notice and many particulars of its system still unclear.
That lack of information initially led Kamloops city council to vote against signing on.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has also criticized MMBC, saying its contracts for businesses identified as stewards were equally vague, noting its reporting requirements could be onerous for a small business.
