Some products, like batteries and hand sanitizers, are subject to new eco fees. (Pras Rajagopalan/CBC)

A new fee that is being applied to the price of some products that require special disposal is not a tax, says Ontario's environment minister.

Since July 1, stores have been charging an extra fee on products like detergents, aerosol cans and fire extinguishers — items identified as environmental, health or safety risks.

The fees range from a few cents for some products to up to $6.66 for fire extinguishers weighing more than 5.5 pounds.

"Not one penny of this ends up as a tax in the government's pockets," said Environment Minister John Gerretsen.

Instead, those funds go towards ensuring those materials don't end up in the landfill, he said.

Companies that make or distribute the products governed by the program pay the fees to Stewardship Ontario, a government body regulating the program.

But the new fees — dubbed "eco fees" by Stewardship Ontario — took consumers off guard, with many saying they had no inkling they would be paying more for certain products.

When asked by CBC News if the government could have done a better job communicating the fees, Gerretsen said "we're having those discussions with Stewardship Ontario right now."

He said the organization will undertake a larger public education program about the fees.

"Obviously, from the amount of media attention it has received … we're in constant communication that they do a better job and make sure the government does a better job so that the public more clearly understands the notion that the hazardous waste that we have in our homes…is being recycled and managed in a proper fashion," said Gerretsen.

May be advantages to charging consumers: Gerretsen

Gerretsen says the government has allowed manufacturers of the products to pass on the charge to consumers at the retail level if they wish.

"Some retailers are charging the fees that are set for different products at different rates. Some retailers are not. It's entirely up to them."

There may be advantages to allowing companies to pass on the charge to consumers, said Gerretsen.

"It makes people more aware of the fact that are environmental consequences to buying products and what happens to these products at the end of their life cycle," he said.

The fees are part of a larger program called Orange Drop, which aims to make it easier for people to dispose of hazardous materials in a way that ensures they don't end up on the landfill.

The Orange Drop program in turn, builds on the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste Program, first introduced in July 2008, aimed at increasing diversion of hazardous materials. The program provides drop zones throughout the province where consumers can dispose of the products on the overall list.

In 2008, the government outlined nine categories of products that it said were designated for recycling and disposal. On July 1, 13 more categories of products were added to that list.

Gerretsen said the goal is to divert 55,000 tonnes of products over the next five years.

Stewardship Ontario sent CBC News an email Thursday saying: "If you feel that you have been overcharged on eco fees by a retailer at checkout, please contact Stewardship Ontario at beyondthebox@stewardshipontario.ca, we will look into to matter and get back to you."