These FAQs are based on MMSM’s draft Full EPR Transition Plan and related full EPR planning materials. View the draft Transition Plan or contact MMSM for more information.
Table of Contents
📖Key Definitions
Catchment
A group of nearby communities whose collected recycling is managed through the same post-collection network.
Collection
How recycling is collected from residents (i.e., curbside recycling collection)
Community
A city, town, First Nation, municipality, or provincial park in Manitoba.
Contamination
Items that do not belong in recycling, such as garbage or materials not accepted in the program.
Contamination rate
The percentage of collected recycling, measured by weight, that is made up of items that do not belong in the recycling.
Material Recovery Facility (MRF)
A facility that sorts, bales, and prepares recyclable materials for sale to recyclers or processors.
Multi-family dwelling
Buildings with more than 8 residential units (i.e., apartments and condos).
Post-collection
The steps that happen after recycling is collected, such as consolidating, transferring, sorting, processing, and preparing materials to be sent to recycling markets.
Packaging and printed paper (PPP)
Packaging and paper products that are provided to people when they buy, receive, or use products for personal or household purposes. Examples include boxes, cartons, containers, bottles, jars, bags, newspapers, flyers, and other printed paper. These materials are usually made from paper, plastic, metal, glass, or a combination of these materials.
Producer
A business responsible for packaging or printed paper that is supplied to consumers in Manitoba, such as a brand owner, importer, retailer, or distributor.
Receiving, Consolidation and Transfer facility (RCT)
A facility that receives collected recycling, records the weight of material by source, and prepares it for transport to a Material Recovery Facility.
Recovery rate
The percentage of packaging and printed paper supplied to consumers that is collected through residential recycling.
Residential recycling
The system used to collect packaging and printed paper from residents and prepare those materials for recycling into new products or materials.
Overview: Transition to Full EPR
What is full EPR?
Full extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a policy framework where producers are responsible for the full cost and operation of residential recycling programs.
How will full EPR be implemented?
In the full EPR model, MMSM would administer Manitoba’s residential recycling program on behalf of producers, including funding the system and coordinating services across the province. MMSM has developed a transition plan with input from the provincial government, community governments, residents, and other stakeholders. The Manitoba government is currently reviewing the plan.
Once approved, MMSM will work closely with communities registered in the current program to plan their move to full EPR. Communities would continue to have flexibility in how recycling services are delivered locally. This includes the option to continue managing collection directly, use municipal staff, work with contracted service providers, or choose MMSM to coordinate services on their behalf.
MMSM will work with each community to understand its current recycling service model, local needs, existing contracts, and preferred approach before service arrangements are finalized.
- Program-Led (opt-out):
- MMSM coordinates collection services through service agreements.
- MMSM is responsible for ensuring service delivery meets program standards
- Communities continue to play an important local role, including providing local information relevant to service planning
- Community-Led (opt-in):
- Communities continue to manage local recycling collection
- Communities may deliver services directly with municipal staff or through contracted service providers
- MMSM provides funding to support eligible residential recycling costs
- Communities are responsible for any costs beyond the funding provided
In both options, MMSM funds the system and works with communities to support reliable recycling service. MMSM also coordinates how materials are managed after collection.
Why is Manitoba planning to transition to full EPR?
Today, communities operate residential recycling programs and MMSM helps pay for a portion of the cost. The proposed model is intended to shift residential recycling costs away from municipalities and taxpayers and onto producers.
The goal is to build a recycling system that is more consistent, easier to understand, and more accountable across Manitoba. The transition is also intended to maintain or improve recycling services for residents, set clearer service standards, improve recycling outcomes over time, and support a more sustainable system.
Over time, the proposed model is also expected to improve environmental outcomes by reducing contamination, improving recycling performance, and supporting a more consistent province-wide approach.
Transition Timing & Communication
When will communities begin transitioning and what determines the order?
Once the Transition Plan is approved by the province, the transition is expected to take approximately four years: one year for preparation and a three-year implementation period to transition communities registered at the time of transition approval. Communities will transition in phases, not all at once. The timing will depend on catchment design, existing contracts, community readiness, and whether a community chooses a community-led (opt-in) or program-led (opt-out) collection model.
MMSM will consider including non-registered communities located near transitioning communities if practical. The sequencing is based on current program participation, community readiness, service area planning, existing services, and the need to maintain reliable recycling service during a complex province-wide transition. MMSM encourages communities that are not currently registered to submit a letter of interest so it can understand their interest, readiness, and service needs.
Can MMSM provide a slide deck that community staff can use to brief their councils?
Yes. Please contact MMSM’s Field Services team to request a council presentation deck. The team is also available to deliver presentations both virtually and in-person to communities.
Financial Impacts, Costs, & Funding
How will the transition impact communities?
One of MMSM’s top priorities is to keep recycling service reliable and make the transition as smooth as possible for residents.
For communities, the biggest change is that MMSM would fund and coordinate residential recycling on behalf of producers. Communities that choose the Community-led approach will continue to manage collection services, with MMSM funding those services through service agreements.
How are funding offers determined?
Funding offers will be based on individual community factors such a community’s current program, service agreements, cost-monitoring survey data (including operating costs, capital costs, promotion and education, administration, etc.), number of households, frequency of collection, transportation distances, infrastructure requirements, and more.
How would funding responsibilities change with full EPR?
Today, producers share the cost of residential recycling with communities. The proposed full EPR model would shift financial responsibility for residential recycling to producers.
Producers would fund the residential recycling system through MMSM, including collection coordination, post-collection management, processing, and program administration. This is intended to reduce the financial burden currently placed on communities and taxpayers.
Manitoba’s proposed transition is part of a broader shift across Canada, with provinces such as British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Ontario implementing full producer responsibility models for residential recycling.
What is the benefit?
The main benefit is that communities will no longer be responsible for paying for residential recycling. MMSM will take on those costs on behalf of producers.
For communities that choose the Program-Led approach, MMSM would coordinate recycling program administration and service arrangements on behalf of producers. Communities would continue supporting defined local responsibilities, such as providing household data and supporting local coordination.
The transition is also intended to create a more consistent recycling system across Manitoba, with clearer service standards, better reporting, and more opportunity to improve recycling outcomes over time.
How will full EPR affect costs for producers and residents?
Producers are responsible for the packaging and printed paper they supply into Manitoba and pay fees to MMSM to fund the recycling program that manages the materials after use. MMSM does not charge residents directly. Individual businesses determine how they manage operating costs, and MMSM does not direct, predict, or control those business practices.
How can communities manage costs with the Community-Led approach?
Communities considering the Community-Led approach should review MMSM’s funding offer, service requirements, and expected costs before making a decision.
The funding offer is intended to support eligible residential recycling costs. Communities would be responsible for costs beyond the funding provided, including service changes, capital purchases, or contract commitments not covered by the offer.
MMSM’s Field Services team is available to discuss options with communities before a decision is made.
Equity, First Nations Participation & Remote Communities
Are First Nations included in the transition plan?
Yes. The plan is to phase in all communities currently registered with MMSM, including First Nations. After the transition, MMSM will continue working to expand the program to other interested communities.
What has MMSM done to engage with First Nations about full EPR?
MMSM began discussions with First Nations Chiefs and Councils in 2021 while developing the first draft of the transition plan. Since then, three additional First Nations have registered with MMSM’s current program, and others have expressed interest in participating in full EPR.
MMSM continues to engage with First Nations and northern communities to share information, confirm interest, and better understand local needs and barriers to participation. This includes ongoing work with Indigenous Services Canada and Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations to support outreach with First Nations that are not currently registered.
What support is currently available for remote communities?
In some remote and fly-in communities, recycling depends on a short winter road season and careful coordination.
Through the Winter Road Recycling Project, participating remote First Nations can move recycling out of their communities using Manitoba’s winter roads.
Support from MMSM includes transportation coordination and program materials such as large tote bags, signage, and educational resources.The project is delivered through the collective efforts of First Nations, Green Action Centre, MMSM, Indigenous Services Canada, and other stewardship organizations.
How will the plan address scenarios where remote communities require year-round storage for baled materials?
MMSM recognizes that some remote communities may require year-round storage for baled materials due to transportation limitations and seasonal access.
Through the Winter Road Project, MMSM currently supports collection and transportation coordination for participating remote communities and may consider storage-related support as the program expands over time.
What languages will MMSM’s educational tools and resources be available in?
MMSM will work with communities to understand local communication needs. Resources may be available in Indigenous languages and other languages commonly used in the community.
Service Delivery, Flexibility, & Local Autonomy
How will curbside and depot services be considered in the transition?
MMSM’s full EPR model does not use depot service as the default. Existing recycling services, including curbside collection and depot service, will be reviewed with each community.
Communities may participate through the Community-Led or Program-Led approach. Where depot service is part of a community’s current recycling program, it will be considered as part of local planning and the applicable service agreements.
Can RCTs continue accepting other stewarded materials alongside PPP?
It will depend on the site and the service arrangements. MMSM’s RCT requirements will focus on residential packaging and printed paper.
If a site also collects other stewarded materials, MMSM will work with the service provider and relevant stewardship programs to confirm how those materials will be handled, reported, and funded.
How would communities with both municipal staff and contracted recycling providers participate in full EPR?
Many Manitoba communities already deliver recycling services through contracted collection providers, municipal staff, or a combination of both. In a full EPR model, communities would continue to have flexibility in how services are delivered locally.
Municipal staffing decisions would remain with local governments, based on the needs and priorities of each community.
Will communities that currently provide their own recycling services be able to continue doing so?
Yes. Communities that want to continue managing residential recycling collection may choose the Community-Led option.
MMSM will provide a funding offer to each community. Communities that accept the offer can continue delivering recycling services directly with municipal staff, through contracted providers, or a combination of both.
Communities should review the Financial Impacts, Costs, & Funding section for more information about how funding offers are determined.
How will MMSM ensure service flexibility to accommodate the operational realities of rural and remote communities?
MMSM recognizes that rural and remote communities have different service needs. Planning will consider local factors such as geography, infrastructure, transportation distances, seasonal population changes, and existing collection arrangements.
Service details will be confirmed with each community through the applicable agreements and service standards.
In communities that choose the Program-Led option, how will service quality be maintained for residents?
MMSM will work with each community to understand current collection schedules, service levels, and local needs before service arrangements are finalized.
For Program-Led communities, MMSM will coordinate collection services and ensure service providers meet clear requirements for reliable collection. This includes processes for addressing service issues such as missed pickups or overflowing bins.
Will Program-led (opt out) communities retain curbside cart services?
Yes. MMSM will work with each community to understand existing collection services, including curbside cart service, before service arrangements are finalized. For Program-Led communities, MMSM will coordinate collection services with the goal of maintaining reliable residential recycling service for residents.
Will MMSM consider the needs of communities that provide seasonal curbside composting services when designing the transition?
MMSM’s focus is residential recycling for packaging and printed paper. The transition to full EPR is not intended to affect other municipal services, such as composting or garbage collection.
Will multi family dwellings still receive recycling service?
Yes. Multi-family dwellings already receiving recycling service through communities will continue to be included in the full EPR program.
Will MMSM involve communities in planning promotions and educational resources to support local needs?
Yes. Education and awareness are key parts of an effective recycling program. MMSM will work closely with communities to support clear, relevant local communication throughout the transition.
Infrastructure, Logistics & System Efficiency
Will MMSM allow cross province hauling where it improves efficiency?
This has not been determined. MMSM will work to move and process materials in a way that reduces unnecessary transportation, handling, costs, energy use, and emissions while maintaining reliable recycling service.
Will MMSM cover long-haul transport costs where required?
Yes. MMSM would fund post-collection services, including moving collected materials to the appropriate facilities for consolidation, transfer, and processing. Long-haul transportation needs would be reviewed as part of post-collection planning.
Will MMSM consider capital support for infrastructure upgrades or depot improvements to meet service standards?
Communities considering the Community-Led approach should review service requirements, expected costs, and MMSM’s funding offer before making a decision.
MMSM’s funding offer is intended to support eligible residential recycling costs. It does not include separate capital funding for infrastructure upgrades or depot improvements. Any upgrades needed to deliver the service would need to fit within the community’s budget and the funding provided.
MMSM’s Field Services team is available to discuss service requirements and options with communities as they review their decision.
Will MMSM evaluate current MRFs as future RCTs and consider transitional or compensatory measures for underutilized local equipment?
MMSM will evaluate potential receiving, consolidation, and transfer facility providers through its procurement process. This will include reviewing facility capacity, location, operational capability, and ability to meet reporting requirements.
MMSM will also seek to minimize disruption to municipal capital assets where possible. Any impacts related to local equipment or infrastructure would need to be discussed with MMSM as part of transition planning.
Program Standards & Transparency
How will MMSM work with communities to reduce contamination rates?
MMSM recognizes that reducing contamination will take time, education, and ongoing effort.
MMSM will work with communities and service providers to identify common issues and support contamination reduction plans where needed.
The 5% contamination rate is a long-term target, not an immediate requirement. If contamination does not improve over time, MMSM may consider additional steps. Any financial adjustments would only be considered as a last resort after repeated efforts to improve results.
Will transparent program performance data be available?
Yes. MMSM will continue to report program performance annually. In a full EPR model, MMSM will have access to more information about program performance and material outcomes.
Reports will include information such as tonnes collected, recovery rates, contamination rates, households serviced, access to collection services, cost-per-tonne and cost-per-household information, and other performance measures.
How will waste and recycling audits distinguish residential from commercial material?
Put simply, MMSM will conduct audits on strictly residential routes and routes that include both residential and commercial collection. MMSM will then compare audit results to estimate how much commercial material enters the residential stream and work with communities to determine how costs related to the collection and processing of commercial material should be allocated.
How are service standards defined?
Service standards describe what communities and residents can expect from recycling collection, such as pickup frequency, service levels, and how service issues are addressed.
These requirements will be set out in the Master Service Agreement (MSA) and Statements of Work (SOWs), and will be used to support consistent and reliable recycling service.
Will MMSM honour existing contracts during the transition period?
MMSM understands that many communities already have recycling contracts or other service arrangements in place. As part of transition planning, MMSM will work with each community to review existing contracts, timelines, and service needs.
Where possible, MMSM will look for ways to minimize disruption to existing arrangements. This may include considering whether an existing contract can continue, be assigned, or be adjusted as part of the move to full EPR.
Communities considering new contracts or renewals should speak with MMSM’s Field Services team before making changes. Where possible, new agreements should include assignability and termination clauses to provide flexibility during the transition.