Sustainable development has become a central concern for all of Quebec society. Retailers and distributors are becoming aware of the importance of their actions in this area and are increasingly committing themselves more actively. The Retail Council of Quebec (RCQ) plays a crucial role in supporting businesses in their transition to more ecological and sustainable practices. Through initiatives such as carbon emissions reduction, responsible waste management, and the promotion of eco-friendly products, the retail sector contributes to environmental preservation while meeting the growing expectations of consumers for sustainable business practices.

The Retail Council of Quebec (RCQ) has intervened in the context of public consultations on Bill 65, which primarily amends the Environmental Quality Act regarding deposit and selective collection. Comments were submitted last October 21 to the parliamentary committee responsible for these proceedings.

The RCQ expressed satisfaction with the introduction of this bill, albeit suggesting room for improvement. It emphasized that the current systems had reached their limits in terms of environmental, social, and economic performance, and it was urgent to transition to a new system that:

• Focuses on developing a circular economy rather than the current linear model.
• Ensures the preservation of resources.
• Contributes to a greener and more sustainable economic recovery.

The RCQ also stressed the importance of ensuring fairness among producers responsible for packaging and printed materials under the modernized systems, advocating for flexibility, simplicity, and scalability.

After closely collaborating with Éco Entreprises Québec (EEQ) to analyze the bill, the RCQ expressed support for the comprehensive memorandum submitted by EEQ during the consultation process.

It is important to note that this project aims to grant the government the enabling powers necessary to define, in future regulations, all the elements needed to implement modernized deposit and selective collection systems.

All relevant documents produced by the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change (MELCC) as part of the modernization process for the deposit and selective collection regimes can be consulted here.