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Provincial News
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Consultations Begin On Public Sector Compensation
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Province Takes Action on Eco Fees
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Eco Fees What You Need to Know About the Orange Drop Program What is the Orange Drop Program?

Ontario’s hazardous and special waste diversion program was created in 2002 by the Progressive Conservative government to begin diverting hazardous and dangerous waste materials from our waterways, soil or landfills.

Now called Orange Drop, the program was expanded from nine to twenty-two different waste streams on July 1st. These changes mean that more waste, such as fluorescent lights, pharmaceuticals and thermometers, will be recycled or safely disposed. New collection options, available at www.makethedrop.ca, were also added to make it more convenient for consumers.

Who Manages the Orange Drop?

Stewardship Ontario is an arm’s length, industry agency that was created to oversee the diversion and recycling of hazardous and special waste in Ontario. Stewardship Ontario is responsible for designing and implementing the Orange Drop program, and for setting and collecting fees from industry. Fees are solely to cover the cost of recovering and diverting hazardous waste products. Industry collects the fees and runs the program - not one cent goes to the government.

What is an Eco Fee?

Stewardship Ontario directly charges the steward (manufacturer, importer, or distributor) of a hazardous product a fee that reflects the true cost of recycling or diverting the end product. In many cases these fees are absorbed into the sticker price, however some stewards opt to pass the fee onto retailers, who then itemize it on your cash register receipt.

You may already have noticed a separate “environmental” or “eco” fee added to the price of things like solvents, antifreeze, fluorescent bulbs or fertilizer at checkout. This fee directly ensures hazardous products are collected, recycled, reused or disposed of in the most environmentally friendly way.

Who Sets the Fee?

Stewardship Ontario charges industry a fee based on the amount of materials they put into the marketplace, and the cost of safely recovering and processing that material. You can review all of the fees Stewardship Ontario charges manufactures – and examples of how they might apply to various products included in that category – below.

Stewardship Ontario is responsible for monitoring industry to ensure they charge only what is required to cover recycling and diversion costs. If you feel you are being overcharged please e-mail Stewardship Ontario at beyondthebox@stewardshipontario.ca.

Why is an Eco Fee Being Introduced Now?

Environmental fees are not new. Stewardship Ontario has been collecting fees from industry for recycling programs since 2002. When phase one of the Orange Drop Program was launched in July 2008, industries were given the option to pass along the fees to their consumers, and so ‘eco fees’ have been applied to some of those products since then. With the number of hazardous products now expanded under the program, ‘eco fees’ are being levied on more consumer items.

Is This a Tax?

These fees are not a tax. Stewardship Ontario is an arm’s length agency. None of the fees collected go to government, and every cent received is used to pay for a diversion program that will mean less waste in landfills and less damage to our water and soil. Ultimately, this program is about ensuring a cleaner, better future for generations to come.

What Materials Are Now Covered Under the Orange Drop Program?

The program will divert wastes from 22 material categories:

• Aerosols (e.g., certain air fresheners)
• Antifreeze
• Batteries (rechargeable and non-rechargeable)
• Corrosives and irritants (e.g., drain cleaners, dishwashing products, bleach)
• Fertilizers
• Fire Extinguishers (portable)
• Flammables, including solvents
• Fluorescent bulbs (compact and tube)
• Leachate Toxics (e.g., moth balls)
• Mercury Devices (e.g., thermometers)
• Oil Containers
• Oil Filters
• Paint and Coatings
• Pesticides, Fungicides and Herbicides
• Pharmaceuticals (from households only)
• Pressurized Containers (e.g., propane cylinders)
• Reactives (e.g., metal powders)
• Sharps and Syringes (from households only)
• Toxics (e.g., adhesives, cleaning agents)

Where Do I Drop Off My Hazardous or Special Waste?

For a complete list of Orange Drop locations, please visit the website at www.makethedrop.ca.

So What Does This All Mean to You?

As a consumer, you should become familiar with the list of hazardous and special waste items and drop-off locations near you. We all share a responsibility to ensure the products we buy are managed safely when they are used up or we no longer need them. Please take the time to safely dispose of these items – it will mean less waste in landfills and less pollutants in our waterways and soil for generations to come!


Stewardship Ontario Fees