What are these costs for?

Blue Box recycling programs are funded by those who supply paper and packaging materials to the market, which most likely will end up in consumers’ curbside (blue box) recycling programs. Under the regulations, Best Buy is obligated to report the composition and weight of materials put to market for vendors or suppliers who are not stewards.

Why are these costs being billed to us (now)?

Since the inception of these programs, Best Buy has been fulfilling obligations by reporting and paying for packaging on behalf of partners who are not stewards in these important, provincially mandated recycling programs. As a result of new programs and increasing costs to existing programs across Canada, Best Buy can no longer absorb the cost for product packaging supplied by our vendors.

Aren’t these costs covered by the funding already provided to Best Buy?

No. The amounts being billed to you have been paid by Best Buy on your behalf to the applicable programs to fund provincial blue box recycling programs. There is not, nor should there ever be, any correlation between blue box and sales program funding.

We are a steward. Why is Best Buy submitting reports on our behalf?

Best Buy consults program steward lists on an annual basis when preparing our reports. Vendors who are not confirmed to be a steward on a program’s steward list for the reporting period are included with Best Buy’s annual submission.

Why are we being billed for materials that aren’t part of our packaging?

Best Buy employs the ABOM methodology, which, for the purpose of our reporting, combines and averages packaging materials supplied to the market for similar products across all brands within a category.

How do I get more information about the materials used to determine the amount due?

Requests for additional information can be submitted to Best Buy, with summaries generally supplied within 30 days from the date Best Buy acknowledges your request.

We don’t agree with Best Buy’s assessment.

All vendor and supplier partners are encouraged to assume stewardship responsibilities for each of the applicable programs. More information and links to programs are available through links to Circular Materials Organization (CMO) and Eco Entreprises Quebec (EEQ), provided under Section 1.

We don’t agree with Best Buy’s methodology.

All vendor and supplier partners are encouraged to assume stewardship responsibilities for each of the applicable programs. More information and links to programs are available through links to Circular Materials Organization (CMO) and Eco Entreprises Quebec (EEQ), provided under Section 1.

We don’t agree with the administration fees.

All vendor and supplier partners are encouraged to assume stewardship responsibilities for each of the applicable programs. More information and links to programs are available through links to Circular Materials Organization (CMO) and Eco Entreprises Quebec (EEQ), provided under Section 1.

How do I get more information about these programs?

More information and links to programs are available through links to Circular Materials Organization (CMO) and Eco Entreprises Quebec (EEQ), provided under Section 1.

How do I become a steward?

Vendors can register as a steward by contacting the program regulators. For additional information, please visit our website for additional information and links to the program pages.
 

Return to the Product Compliance Overview for Canada.