Manitoba uses a legislative waste management framework. Printed paper and packaging is managed through a shared responsibility program with producers using Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM). Plastic bags have been banned in four Manitoba municipalities. 

Policy & Strategy

Key laws in Manitoba that affect waste and recycling activities:

Strategies

Diversion Rates (Tonnes) 2016

All materials diverted 210,979
White goods N/A
Electronics 799
Plastics 7,315
Tires 17,491
Construction, renovation, and demolition N/A
Other materials 9,116

*All other materials than ‘Plastics’ may or may not have plastics in them.

Diversion Rate Trends

Source: State of Waste Management in Canada, April 2015

Waste diversion trends in Manitoba. Source: CCME State of Waste Management, 2015

Material Recovery Overview

Manitoba has legislated EPR programs to reuse, recycle or safely dispose of waste including plastics:

  • Electronics – audio-visual and telecom, cell phones, computers, accessories and IT equipment, TVs, appliances (microwaves only)
  • HHSW – batteries, corrosives and irritants, aerosols, mercury lamps and other mercury products, paint, pharmaceuticals, solvents, gasoline, pesticides/fertilizers and containers
  • Automotive – batteries, tires, used oil, oil containers and/or filters, other (e.g. glycol)

Shared Responsibility

  • Printed Paper and Packaging (PPP) is managed through a shared responsibility program with producers using Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM), a producer responsibility agency, and municipal operations

Source: State of Waste Management in Canada, April 2015

Disposal Options

Energy Recovery from Waste Approach

No official policy on EFW, no EFW facilities identified or planned.
Landfill options No province-wide landfill bans in effect. Number of landfills operating = 195, with 3 LFG recovery. Since 2009, MB has had a Waste Reduction and Recycling Support (WRARS) levy of $10/tonne on MSW disposed of in MB landfills.

Municipal Plastic Bans

Leaf Rapids

Effective date: April 2, 2007

It’s official: Manitoba town gives plastic bags the boot. It’s been talked about for weeks and on Mondaythe northern Manitoba town of Leaf Rapids became the first municipality in Canada to ban plastic shopping bags. Mayor Ed Cherrier said he doesn’t expect any trouble enforcing the new bylaw in the town of about 550 people.

Town of Snow Lake

Effective date: July 5, 2016

By-Law No. 950/16: Prohibition of Single-Use Plastic Bags: Being a By-Law of the Town of Snow Lake to prohibit the sale or distribution of single-use plastic bags within the Town of Snow Lake. 

Town of the Pas

Effective date: June 13, 2016

Prohibit Sale of Distribution of Plastics  – By-Law No.4542: Being a By-Law of the Town of the Pas to prohibit the sale or distribution of all single-use plastic bags within the town of The Pas and to Repeal By-Law No. 4525. 

City of Thompson

Date: December 31, 2010

Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban By-law: No person shall sell or provide single-use plastic bags free of charge or allow single-use plastic bags to be sold or provided free of charge. No person employed by or acting on behalf of a person carrying on a retail business shall sell or provide single-use plastic bags free of charge or allow single-use plastic bags to be sold or provided free of charge. Nothing in this by-law shall preclude owners of retail businesses from making alternatives to single-use plastic bags, such as reusable containers and bags, available for sale or free of charge to customers. No retail business shall deny the use of any reusable container by a customer for the transport of purchased items.