BC’s Environment Minister says the province is prepared to be a leader in recycling, irrespective of what happens during this fall’s federal election.

George Heyman says the province wants to do more to reduce plastic and other recyclable waste.

On NL Newsday, he said B.C.’s Extended Producer Responsibility program is similar to what the Federal Government is proposing.

“We have a plastics recycling facility in Delta very eager to grow and expand and recycle more material so that they are producing recycled plastic content that can cut down on the amount of virgin plastic and materials,” Heyman added.

“So there’s a lot of options and a lot of opportunity.”

Heyman says the province expects industry to think about plastic and other products from essentially cradle to grave, so they help collect and recycle material.

The province, he notes, is asking B.C. residents whether recycling programs should be expanded.

“And whether it should cover a broader range of materials. I’m sure many people have spent a lot of time hunting for the number on an item saying, ‘you know, what am I supposed to do with this?'” Heyman noted.

“We’ve had through this program of Extended Producer Responsibility, the creation of about 900 jobs. We are certainly prepared to not only do our bit, but to take a leadership role.”

Heyman says most things are recyclable, and it’s just a matter of making sure waste is properly diverted.