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January 15, 1997
(Environment and Labour)

 

Launch of Deposit Refund System for beverage containers

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment and Labour, announced today the launch of a deposit-refund system on beverage containers and the creation of a Multi-material Stewardship Board responsible for implementing the system. The government's intent to establish a system was announced on July 3, 1996. Government was able to announce considerable progress by October 1996 and advise that the program would begin on January 15, 1997.

Initially, the Multi-material Stewardship Board will focus on administering the deposit-refund system for beverage containers. However, in time, the board will develop programs to divert other wastes from landfills such as used tires, batteries and other consumer packaging. Under the new deposit-refund system, aluminum/metal cans, glass beverage bottles, plastic beverage bottles and drink/juice boxes will be redeemable for refund at licensed depots located throughout the province. Milk containers and infant formula will be excluded from the system at this time. The existing collection system for local refillable beer bottles will remain in place.

As of today, the price of ready-to-serve beverage containers will include a deposit of 6 cents. Of this amount, 3 cents will be refunded to the consumer when the container is returned to a depot, 2.5 cents will be provided to depot operators for every container collected and .05 cents will go towards supporting the system. The minister stated that great efforts were made to develop a system that would meet our environmental objectives at the lowest possible cost to consumers.

By March 1997, there will be at least 40 depots located throughout the province: 22 are open as of today. Mr. Alyward said: "Because depot operators are paid according to the amount they collect, there is a built-in incentive to collect as many containers as possible. Therefore, depot operators will likely establish the most cost-effective and efficient means of collecting containers."

The minister stated that this system is being established in response to public demands to deal with litter and waste in this province. Mr. Aylward said: "Our goal is to divert 80 per cent of the beverage containers from landfills over a four year period. We estimate that there are 172 million beverage containers disposed of in this province annually." The system will support the on-going recycling efforts of individuals, schools, community groups and others. People are encouraged to participate in this program as it will benefit Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for many years to come.

The Multi-material Stewardship Board is a public-private partnership which includes representatives from the public, industry and government. The board serves on a voluntary basis. Members of the board are Georgina Hines, Donna Paddon and Michael Vickers. Industry representatives are John Patten of Browning Harvey and John Gardner of TRA Newfoundland Wholesalers. Government representatives are Gary Norris of the Department of Environment and Labour, Sid Blundon of the Department of Industry, Trade and Technology and John Abbott of the Department of Works, Services and Transportation. A chairperson will be appointed in the near future.

The deposit-refund system on beverage containers will be managed by Newfoundland Beverage Recovery Inc. (NewBRI). NewBRI was established as a not-for-profit corporation by the beverage industry to manage the system.

A toll-free number has been established to answer enquiries from the public. The number is 1-888-363-8727. People are encouraged to call this number to obtain further details about the program.

Contact: Sean Kelly, Director of Communications, Department of Environment and Labour, (709) 729-2575.

1997 01 15 11:20 a.m.

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