Packaging fees--closer than you think? (sidebar)

Although industry is generally willing to take on some degree of financial responsibility for waste diversion and recovery, a key concern among those who will be obligated as stewards is cost planning. This is evident in the comments submitted to Stewardship Ontario on its proposed Blue Box Program Plan. For example, Maple Leaf Foods of Toronto, Ontario points out in its comments to Stewardship Ontario that while the additional costs could be passed on to customers in the future, many brand owners are currently bound by yearly contracts and cannot pass on costs until contracts are renegotiated for the following year. They advocate moving the date of obligation to the beginning of 2004. However, municipalities facing rising collection and recycling costs are demanding that the program start as soon as possible.