Government changes beverage container deposit level

In light of recent public concerns over the increase to the deposit level on non-alcoholic beverage containers, Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Environment, today announced that government has re-evaluated the situation and decided that the deposit level will not increase from six to 10 cents. Instead, the deposit level for non-alcoholic beverage containers will now increase to eight cents per container, and this new level will take effect July 1, 2001, not April 1, 2001 as previously announced. The increased refund level, which came into effect February 23, 2001, will remain at five cents per non-alcoholic beverage container.

"The people of the province have voiced their concerns about the proposed increase and government has listened," said Minister Wiseman. "We have re-examined the beverage container deposit refund program, and determined that while there are financial risks in the long-term to operate the system with an eight cent deposit level for non-alcoholic beverage containers, the risks are deemed to be acceptable.

"The ultimate goal of this program is to help the environment; however, it is important to understand that there are costs associated with operating this type of system. I feel that an eight cent deposit with a five cent refund is a fair program for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and will result in an increase in the amount of beverage containers diverted from the landfill sites."

Schools participating in the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board School Matching Program will continue to be matched for the refund level of five cents per non-alcoholic beverage container for the remainder of this school year. "The School Matching Program is proving to be a successful fund raiser for our schools, as well as an excellent way to educate our youth about the importance of recycling. I want to see this program continue for as long as funds are available to do so," said Minister Wiseman.

The Beverage Container Deposit Refund System was implemented in 1997 in an effort to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill sites throughout the province.

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-2575.

2001 03 12                                                  12:00 p.m.

The Beverage Container Deposit Refund Program was implemented by government in January 1997 in an effort to reduce the number of beverage containers going into landfill sites. The program is administered by the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), which is a Crown agency established by the provincial government to develop, implement and where appropriate, manage a variety of waste diversion strategies in Newfoundland and Labrador.

There are 37 Green Depots, 26 satellite sites, and five mobile units throughout the province. In addition, there are 14 collection programs in coastal Labrador.

Since its inception, the program has created 90 full-time and 145 part-time positions.

The costs to recycle one non-alcoholic beverage container, based on the current five cent refund level are:

* approximate costs