Each jurisdiction is different. Typically, a producer/supplier can manage their obligations on their own (i.e., operate their own program) as long as their program meets the requirements outlined in regulation.

Producers/suppliers often choose to work with an organization like Cleanfarms to meet their regulatory obligations for several reasons that could include:

• A producer/supplier’s core business is typically sales and distribution, and not recycling/waste management. Delegating stewardship responsibilities to an organization like Cleanfarms frees producers/suppliers to focus on their core businesses.
• Some producers/suppliers have similar obligations in multiple jurisdictions/provinces. Delegating their regulatory obligations to an organization that also operates in multiple jurisdictions can simplify or streamline administration (e.g., reporting and remitting).
• Entities like Cleanfarms have no competitive and/or commercial interest in sales of the product to be collected and recycled. Cleanfarms does not compete with its members for market share, so producers/suppliers are generally comfortable sharing confidential sales data within the program (as is needed for program management).
• It allows producers/suppliers to take advantage of economies of scale, in particular with respect to accessing recycling markets and securing the best terms (e.g., revenue from the sale of used grain bags) from recyclers. This approach also ensures efficiency in the system.