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Recycle NB approves stewardship plan for beverage containers

Recycle NB has approved a stewardship plan for beverage containers, effective on February 2, 2024.

The stewardship plan was submitted by Encorp Atlantic, the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) that represents brand owners who manufacture, distribute and sell beverage containers in New Brunswick. It contains a strategy for managing the collection and recycling of these materials at the waste stage.

“Recycle NB looks forward to partnering with Encorp Atlantic as they manage the beverage container program in New Brunswick,” said Frank LeBlanc, CEO of Recycle NB. “We are confident that the new program will benefit consumers while at the same time, reduce the burden on our landfills.”

There has been a provincial recycling program for beverage containers since 1992. As of April 2024, it will transition to an Extended Producer Responsibility program, where producers will assume responsibility for the collection, storage, transportation and recycling of their products. Once the transition occurs, the program will change from a half-back to a full-back system, which means consumers will receive a 100% refund on deposit-bearing beverage containers.

“Increasing the refund will provide greater incentive for New Brunswickers to return their used beverage containers to a redemption centre,” Mr. LeBlanc said. “This will, in turn, decrease the amount of litter along our roadways, trails, parks and beaches.” 

The beverage container program is the sixth EPR program to be added to the Designated Materials Regulation in New Brunswick. Others include paint, oil/glycol, electronics, packaging and paper products, and pharmaceutical products and medical sharps. Recycle NB also manages the provincial tire stewardship program.

Recycle NB is an arm’s length government agency whose role is to ensure that materials designated by the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change are managed in a manner that assures a healthier environment.