Other jurisdictions and international bodies have recognized British Columbia as a leader in developing innovative product stewardship programs which shift the responsibility of managing specific wastes from general taxpayers to industry and consumers. Over the past 12 years the province has embarked on a number of product stewardship initiatives, at first financed through government levies and operated by government, and later through systems financed and operated by producers and consumers to manage the highest priority wastes. Product categories managed under these systems include scrap tires, lead-acid batteries, ready-to-serve beverage containers and the products that generate the greatest volume of household hazardous wastes.

Despite the success of these programs, British Columbia's solid waste system continues to impose a substantial burden on the environment and on taxpayers through the municipal waste management infrastructure. The strategic objective of this business plan is to guide the development of a waste management system in British Columbia where end of life management of a broad range of products is financed and operated by the private sector and consumers under results-based regulations. The plan is consistent with the province's New Era imperatives of broad tax relief, exemplary environmental stewardship, accountability and enhanced reliance on private sector delivery models. Expansion of industry product stewardship programs will also help create jobs and economic opportunity as well as benefit the environment.