Maximizing Ontario’s Recycling Potential

On September 10, 2006, the province announced that a new container return program would begin in February 2007, as part of an overall waste management strategy.

The program could divert up to an additional 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes of glass from landfills annually. This equates to about 80 million bottles per year.

This represents about a 32 to 38 per cent increase over the amount of wine and spirit containers currently being recycled through the Blue Box and through recycling by licensed restaurants and bars.

In an important step forward, the province has signed a contract with the Brewers Retail Inc. (BRI) to be the service provider of Ontario’s deposit return program for wine and spirit containers.

BRI runs one of the most successful return systems in the world. With over 800 return locations across the province, Ontario can leverage BRI’s existing infrastructure and expertise to implement the new deposit return program quickly and efficiently.

Provisions in the service agreement centre on fulfilling three main criteria: Environmental Performance, Customer Service and Transparency.

Environmental Performance:

The government aims to target aggressive environmental goals including:

• No recyclable materials collected will go to landfill
• 85 per cent recovery rate by year three of the program
• 90 per cent of glass will go to higher end uses, such as new bottles or fibreglass

The deposit return program in conjunction with Ontario’s Blue Box program will result in a greater diversion of waste from landfill and will encourage markets for recovered materials.

In addition to diverting waste from landfills, this new refund program will free up space in Blue Boxes, creating savings for taxpayers and giving municipal governments the opportunity to expand recycling programs.

Customer Service and Access:

Beginning February 2007, customers will pay a deposit on wine and spirit containers. Customers receive a full refund on their deposit when they return the empty containers to any return location. Deposit rates are as follows:

Container Type	Deposit Rate
Glass containers, Tetra Pak, Bag-in-a-box, PET less than or equal to 630 mL Cans less than or equal to 1L	$0.10
Glass containers, Tetra Pak, Bag-in-a-box, PET greater than 630 mL Cans greater than 1L	$0.20

There will be no changes to beer containers collected under the current system.

Ontarians are supportive of the deposit return program. To maximize awareness on the new initiative, the LCBO will lead a public education campaign during the first two years of implementation.

Additional customer service standards set out in the agreement will ensure:

• Standard of Customer Service is maintained for all patrons and licensees
• Access to return locations within reasonable distance of where wine and spirits are purchased.

Transparency:

The government is committed to maintaining an open and transparent process throughout the development of the deposit return program.

In addition:

• BRI will release annual reports on the environmental performance of the program.
• The contract with BRI is for a fixed five year term. In year three, a comprehensive value for money audit will be conducted.
• Program accounting for wine and spirit containers will be separate from the existing beer deposit return program.
• Renewal of the contract will require government decision.

Finding ways to reduce waste is one of the most important issues Ontario municipalities face. By boosting waste diversion efforts we are ensuring that Ontario families can live in healthy communities for generations to come.

• Brewers Retail Inc. Contract
• Stakeholder Comments
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Minister Caplan's Remarks