Report shows an expansion of The Beer Store
deposit system with retail and depot collection is the most
cost-effective way to reach 90% beverage container recovery in
Ontario
TORONTO, July 15,
2024 /CNW/ - A report released by the Canadian
Beverage Association (CBA) and researched and written by Eunomia
Research & Consulting Inc. finds that the most effective way
for Ontario to achieve a 90%
recovery rate for beverage containers is by expanding the
province's existing deposit system operated by The Beer Store by
providing Ontarians with more retail and depot locations to take
back bottles and cans to receive a 10-cent refund for each container.
![CBA Logo (CNW Group/Canadian Beverage Association) CBA Logo (CNW Group/Canadian Beverage Association)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2460839/Canadian_Beverage_Association_Expanding_Ontario_s_deposit_system.jpg)
All Canadian provinces except Ontario and Manitoba have a deposit-return system (DRS)
for non-alcoholic beverage containers. Without a beverage container
recycling program, Ontario
maintains the country's lowest non-alcoholic beverage container
recovery rate for non-alcoholic beverage containers – which is
stalled at 51%, according to the latest estimate provided by
Circular Materials. Provinces with DRS programs, like British Columbia and Alberta, have recovery rates ranging from 77%
to 85%, along with high levels of consumer support.
"Recent polling shows that more than 80% of Ontarians want a
deposit system for both alcohol and non-alcoholic beverage
containers," said Krista Scaldwell,
CBA President. "Ontario can no
longer remain an outlier in Canada
with half of the non-alcoholic beverage containers sold in the
province each year not being collected for recycling, going to
landfill or being littered in the environment. The Government of
Ontario must seize the opportunity
to expand the existing deposit system for beer, wine and liquor to
include soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages to keep these
containers out of the environment and divert them from landfills to
recycling facilities."
The CBA commissioned Eunomia to prepare a research report and a
DRS modelling study to identify a DRS model that is cost-effective,
convenient for consumers and high-performing. The goal of
implementing a DRS is to achieve high recycling rates, keep litter
out of the environment and ensure more recyclable material is
reincorporated into new beverage bottles, cans and cartons as
recycled content.
The report's findings show that leveraging The Beer Store's
collection system and having grocery stores and other retail
locations take back empty beverage containers will create a system
that can achieve a recovery rate of 89% and provide a collection
location for roughly every 1,600 Ontarians. This system would also
include limited depot collection in high-volume locations. The
net-cost of this system would be $190
million and would be funded through producer fees.
The Government of Ontario
concluded the Early Implementation Agreement with The Beer Store on
March 28, 2024. That agreement
continues the existing deposit system for alcohol containers and
creates a new obligation for retail locations that are more than
4,000 square feet to collect empty alcohol containers if there is
no Beer Store within five kilometres. A revised Ontario Deposit
Return Agreement (ODRP) must be concluded by Oct. 1, 2024.
"As more reverse vending machines are installed to take back
alcohol containers at retail locations this fall, those same
machines can be used to take back non-alcoholic beverage
containers," said Sarah Edwards,
President, Eunomia North America. "Our modelling shows that
leveraging both The Beer Store deposit system, along with
return-to-retail collection, will establish the greatest
convenience for consumers and allow Ontario to lift its recovery rate from where
it is today at roughly 50% to 90%."
Read the full report here.
For more information on CBA and its membership, visit
www.canadianbeverage.ca
ABOUT THE CANADIAN BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION
The Canadian
Beverage Association is the national trade association representing
the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute the
majority of non-alcoholic refreshment beverages consumed in
Canada. Over 55,000 individuals
are employed directly, indirectly and through induced jobs in the
Canadian beverage industry.
ABOUT EUNOMIA RESEARCH & CONSULTING
At Eunomia, we
are driven by the power of unwasted.
We're social-environmental problem-solvers and researchers
committed to making real change. Combining real world consulting
experience and deep knowledge with an active role in policy,
empowers us to provide pragmatic, science-led solutions that reduce
human impact on the planet.
As the leading experts in our field for nearly 25 years, our
role is to challenge the status quo. We get to the heart of the
real issues impacting our clients' businesses and impacting
society.
Then, we provide the evidence and practical solutions to solve
the world's most pressing societal and environmental
problems.
Eunomia is one of the first sustainability consultancies to have
achieved B Corp™ status, globally, with 150+ employees across five
offices, spanning three continents.
SOURCE Canadian Beverage Association