Draft Québec Policy on Residual Materials

Policy Goals

The residual materials management policy reflects the government’s intent to build a green economy. The approximately 13 million tons of residual materials that are produced in Québec each year hold an undeniable potential for being used in manufacturing as well as in the production of energy.

This policy seeks to create a waste-free society that looks to maximize added value through intelligent management of its residual materials. Its fundamental goal is for ultimate residue to be the only residual material disposed of in Québec.

How will this be achieved?

To move forward towards this goal, the policy plans to implement measures that  respond to the three major challenges of residual materials management:

• Put an end to the wasting of resources
• Contribute to the goals of the Climate Change Action Plan and the Québec Energy Strategy
• Hold all actors involved in residual materials accountable

Main short-term measures

Major short-term measures are required to achieve the policy’s goals, as follows:

• Program for Processing Organic Matter by Biomethanization and Composting (French)
• Draft Regulation Respecting the Recovery and Reclamation of Products by Enterprises
• Draft Regulation Respecting Financial Guarantees Payable for the Operation of an Organic Matter Reclamation Facility
• Draft Regulation respecting the charges payable for the disposal of residual materials
• Draft Bill to amend the Environment Quality Act (EQA) as regards residual materials management and to amend the Regulation respecting compensation for municipal services provided to recover and reclaim residual materials

References

A summary of the policy (French, PDF, 138 Ko)
Policy Presentation Document (PDF, 342 Ko)
Action Plan (PDF, 88 Ko)
Press Release regarding the tabling of the draft policy (in French)

Useful links

Statistics
RECYC-QUÉBEC
Québec Residual Materials Management Policy, 1998-2008