Whereas the Province of British Columbia committed in its Five-Year Extended Producer Responsibility EPR Action Plan 2021-2026 and the 20252028 Service Plan to regulate mattresses, but recently announced a delay citing consumer affordability concerns; And whereas delaying implementation increases costs for consumers, for local governments and taxpayers who must cover the collection, recycling, and disposal of mattresses, despite producers being responsible under the polluter-pays principle, thereby exacerbating the very affordability issues the delay seeks to address: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of British Columbia to amend the Recycling Regulation without delay as committed to, creating a province-wide mattress recycling program by including mattresses as a product category under Extended Producer Responsibility, ensuring that producers are responsible for the collection, recycling, and disposal of mattresses.
