As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) comes into effect in Quebec, businesses are facing dramatic tariff increases. Yet behind this apparent constraint lie strategic opportunities for agile companies.
The EPR Shock
The ecological transition comes at a cost, and Quebec businesses are experiencing this harsh reality in early 2025. At Chocolats Vadeboncœur, the Éco Entreprises Québec (EEQ) bill has surged by 250%, while Maison Orphée is absorbing an 80% increase. These dizzying increases illustrate the reality of a necessary but painful transformation in our packaging management system.
However, behind these mind-boggling figures lies a strategic opportunity that too few companies have identified. Indeed, EEQ has implemented a bonus system that could reduce proactive companies' bills by up to 50%. In a context where every dollar counts, this information is worth its weight in gold.
Bonuses to Transform Constraints
Let's take the example of an average food industry company paying $100,000 in EEQ fees. By adopting a strategic eco-design approach, this same company could cut its bill in half. How? The program offers four intervention axes, each potentially generating a 20% bonus:
material reduction,
responsible sourcing,
recyclability improvement,
environmental communication.
The real news isn't so much the cost increase - although spectacular - but the profound transformation it imposes on our industry. Companies that successfully navigate this transition will emerge stronger. For instance, a mere 3% reduction in packaging mass can trigger a 20% bonus. For a company like Chocolats Vadeboncœur, this would represent significant savings while improving its environmental footprint.
Eco-design as a Winning Strategy
Local sourcing is also taking on a new strategic dimension. With a 20% bonus granted to companies using 75% Quebec-sourced materials, proximity becomes a tangible economic advantage. This measure could redraw the supply chains of our food industry.
But beware of false solutions. PLA and other so-called "compostable" plastics are excluded from the program, a clear signal that the future lies not in miracle alternatives but in intelligent redesign of our packaging practices.
What companies critically lack isn't so much the will to change as the technical expertise to achieve it. Eco-design isn't a divinatory art - it's a science requiring specific skills. This is where a key player, too often overlooked, comes in: the eco-design expert. Their role? Transforming an expense into a profitable investment.
Beyond Borders
Import Challenges
A crucial aspect of this ecological transition concerns companies outside Quebec that market their products in the territory. EPR makes no geographical distinction: if you sell in Quebec, you're subject to the same obligations as local producers. For companies without a Quebec address, it's the first importer who must bear these costs - a situation that could quickly erode the competitive advantage of imported products.
Export as a Strategic Opportunity
Packaging eco-design is no longer just a necessity for the Quebec market; it's becoming a strategic asset for export. The European market, in particular, with its strict environmental standards, represents a unique opportunity for Quebec companies that have already adapted their packaging. This head start in eco-design not only reduces local EPR-related costs but also positions companies advantageously in international markets where environmental requirements continue to strengthen.
The message is clear: the time for wait-and-see is over. The tools are there, experts are available, and funding exists - but not indefinitely. The real question is no longer whether we should change, but how quickly we can adapt to transform this regulatory constraint into a sustainable competitive advantage.
To move forward :
If you need help navigating this new environment, MHA Insights is here for you.
So clear ! Thabks