Environment committee  Good question. Our figure in Quebec is a little higher, but you're right. Losses occur in the collection and recycling chain, especially at home, because people don't know how to differentiate between the types of plastic. The concept of labelling or [Technical difficulty—Editor], which involves guidance from the Competition Bureau of Canada, also constitutes a potential solution to make sorting easier for people and to reduce or even eliminate plastic materials directly at home.

Environment committee  Yes, indeed. It's important to work on reducing plastic products at the source and to focus on sustainable alternatives. In our view, it isn't just about plastic, but about all single-use products that have a sustainable alternative. Certain practices and policies can be explored to encourage this use.

Environment committee  Off the top of my head, I would say that extended producer responsibility has been in effect since 2011 in Quebec. Initially, five categories were covered. This year, appliances were added. I believe that we're among the first, along with British Columbia, to have added this category.

Environment committee  There are three components. First of all, there must be investment in local packaging or recycling capabilities, whether in Quebec or in Canada. These are some of the solutions that have a leveraging effect. Then, we need to encourage the integration of recycled content in products, perhaps even make it mandatory.

Environment committee  As I mentioned, the bill was passed last March. The next step will be the adoption of regulations that will make it all happen, which is how extended producer responsibility will work in Quebec. In the case of the refundable deposit and selective collection, all companies will market containers, packaging, printed matter and newspapers.

Environment committee  As I mentioned, RECYC-QUÉBEC is a government corporation. In Quebec, we oversee extended responsibility programs. The regulatory framework includes monitoring and annual reporting. It is RECYC-QUÉBEC's role to ensure that the organizations responsible for implementing effective measures to achieve the objectives set by the government do so and report annually.

Environment committee  Thank you. As I will be presenting in French, if I may, I would like to make sure that the interpretation into English is working well. Is it working?

Environment committee  Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for inviting me to appear before your committee. I am Sophie Langlois-Blouin, vice-president of RECYC-QUÉBEC. I am responsible for operations. RECYC-QUÉBEC is a government corporation that reports to the Minister of the Environment and works every day to reduce, reuse and recycle as much material as possible by guiding both citizens, municipalities and businesses in the adoption of responsible production and consumption practices.