Multi-Material BC

Multi-Material BC (MMBC) is a non-profit organization that is fully financed by industry to manage residential packaging and printed paper recycling programs in BC, either directly or by working with local governments, First Nations, private companies, and other non-profit organizations. In May 2014, under the BC Recycling Regulation (the Regulation), responsibility for end-of-life management of residential packaging and printed paper shifted from governments and their taxpayers to the businesses that produce these materials. MMBC was formed to help businesses meet their obligations under the Regulation. MMBC’s Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship Plan (Stewardship Plan) was approved by the BC Ministry of Environment (MOE) in April 2013 and its residential packaging and printed paper recycling program officially launched on May 19, 2014. MMBC’s collection system, which is based on the Stewardship Plan, builds on existing collection infrastructure in BC communities and seeks to improve service and accessibility for residents. Additionally, BC residents can recycle categories of packaging that previously were not commonly included in current curbside or depot recycling programs. MMBC’s program is an example of extended producer responsibility (EPR). Over the past two decades, BC has introduced EPR programs for beverage containers, electronics, paint, used oil, tires, batteries, and now packaging and printed paper. In each of these programs, industry assumes responsibility for end-of-life management—including collection and recycling—of these materials.