Ontario Cancels Plans for Deposit-Return System on Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Amanda Brodhagen, director of communications for Ontario Environment Minister Andrea Khanjin, stated that the decision came after “extensive consultation” with stakeholders.
“Should producers and retailers wish to work collaboratively to implement a system that is both cost-effective and increases recycling rates, we would welcome that. However, we cannot support increased costs at a time when the cost of living is so high,” Brodhagen said in an email to CP24 on Friday evening.
Last year, the government invited stakeholders, including environmental organizations, consumer advocacy groups, and recycling industry experts, to participate in a six-month working group to review how a new deposit-return system could work.
The proposed program would have charged consumers a recycling fee when purchasing a beverage, which would be refunded upon returning the cans or bottles.
Ontario already runs a similar program facilitated by The Beer Store for alcoholic beverages. In 2021, nearly 80 percent of packaging and containers sold at The Beer Store were returned and recycled or refilled through this program.
Advocates have long called for a deposit-return system, arguing it would more effectively keep beverage containers out of landfills. Ontario has aimed to recover 80 percent of all beverage containers by 2030, and advocates claim that this goal is unachievable without implementing programs like the new deposit-return system.
Last year, the government halted its “Recycle Everywhere” program, which would have imposed recycling fees on companies of non-alcoholic beverages, while exploring the creation of a deposit-return system.
