Shannon Coombs, CCSPA President, says “Ontario’s Minister of the Environment is accountable for the MHSW program and he should undertake an immediate review of all products currently classified under the program.  Our industry fully supports the goals of waste diversion, but we believe a fair, effective, cost-efficient and transparent program is needed.”

She says empty soap, detergent and cleaning product containers have been recycled effectively since 2002, as part of the province’s Blue Box program that is funded by municipal taxes and levies paid by brand owners.  “The eco fee consumers are now being asked to pay is based on the contents of those packages.”

“Consumers do not throw out half-empty containers of soap or detergent,” says CCC President Don Mercer.  “Rather, they buy what they need and use it up.  The eco fee, in effect, charges consumers for a service they will not use.”

“In addition,” Coombs says, “soaps, detergents and cleaning products manufactured by CCSPA member companies are not hazardous waste. These products are safe for consumers and the environment, and CCSPA has advocated all along that they should not have been included in the MHSW program.”

The Consumers Council of Canada works collaboratively with consumers, business and government in support of consumers’ rights and responsibilities, seeking an efficient, equitable, effective and safe marketplace for consumers. The Council is a member of the Canadian Consumer Initiative.

CCSPA (www.healthycleaning101.org) is a national trade association that represents 45 member companies across Canada that manufacture, process, package and distribute consumer, industrial and institutional specialty products, such as soaps and detergents, pest control products, aerosols, hard surface disinfectants, deodorizers and automotive chemicals.