The fees associated with soil volume management have seen an increase from 2024 to 2025 across various categories, according to new data released by Ontario’s Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority (RPRA).
Overall, the fee structure for soil volume management has increased significantly, particularly in the variable fee categories, reflecting a consistent trend of approximately 30% increases across most volume brackets. The flat fees also experienced notable hikes, ensuring that pricing is adjusted to accommodate changes in service costs and market conditions, according to RPRA.
RPRA consulted on the proposed fees from September 27 to November 12, 2024. The regulator hosted five webinars that provided overviews of the fee proposals and provided an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and make comments on the proposal.
The 2025 program fee rates take effect on January 1, 2025.
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For soil reuse sites, fee rates are increasing by an average of 5% due to decreases for predicted volumes and filings for 2025.
In RPRA’s consultation report, it states that three main factors impact year-over-year rate increases: volume estimates, program cost allocations, and the impact of the application of prior year program surpluses and deficits.
“RPRA will continue to strive for predictability in fee rates; however, some annual variability is unavoidable,” the regulator stated in the consultation report.
While fees are up for 2025, they don’t match the substantial increases seen in 2024, when for instance the largest generators of excess soils (volumes greater than 500,000 m³) saw fees jump by 400% from $30,000 to $150,000.
Below is a detailed comparison of the Excess Soil Registry Fees for different soil volume brackets:
- Flat Fee for 100 to 2,000 m³:
- 2024: $90
- 2025: $95
- Increase: $5 (approximately 5.56%)
2. Variable Fee for >2,000 to 10,000 m³:
- 2024: $0.100/m³
- 2025: $0.130/m³
- Increase: $0.030/m³ (30% increase)
3. Variable Fee for >10,000 to 50,000 m³:
- 2024: $0.125/m³
- 2025: $0.163/m³
- Increase: $0.038/m³ (30.4% increase)
4. Variable Fee for >50,000 to 100,000 m³:
- 2024: $0.240/m³
- 2025: $0.312/m³
- Increase: $0.072/m³ (30% increase)
5. Variable Fee for >100,000 to 500,000 m³:
- 2024: $0.300/m³
- 2025: $0.390/m³
- Increase: $0.090/m³ (30% increase)
6. Flat Fee for >500,000 m³:
- 2024: $150,000
- 2025: $195,000
- Increase: $45,000 (30% increase)
Flat Fee Price Increases for Soil Reuse Sites:
- 10,000 to 50,000 m³
2024: $3,150
2025: $3,310
2. >50,000 to 1,000,000 m³
2024: $12,600
2025: $13,230
3. >1,000,000 to 5,000,000 m³
2024: $29,400
2025: $30,870
4. > 5,000,000 m³
2024: $42,000
2025: $44,100
