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Q and A
| Why is the law on beverage containers being changed? The changes are a response to consumer demand. With the great success of the Waste Watch program in encouraging recycling, a wide variety of beverage containers can be handled in an environmentally-friendly way. The expansion of the deposit-return system gives an extra incentive to make sure containers are recycled. |
| Why can't containers be returned to retail stores as was done with refillable bottles? There will be an anticipated 50,000,000 recyclable containers and 18,000,000 refillable containers handled by the beverage container management system each year. It's not reasonable to expect stores to make room for that much material. After May 3 all returns must be made at one of the Island's 10 licensed Container Recycling Depots. |
| What containers are included in the system? All ready-to-drink beverage containers, up to five litres will be covered by the Beverage Container Management System - with the exception of containers used for dairy products, milk substitutes like soy and rice milk, and nutritional supplements. |
| What about the current refillable bottles? Refillables are still allowed under the Beverage Container Management System. Government expects that some refillables - notably glass beer bottles - will remain available over the long term, while others may be phased out. The decision lies with the bottlers and distributors. |
| What will this cost Islanders? The average Islander will spend $1.50 a month on this system, after paying out $3.00 in deposits and getting back $1.50 in returns. Of the remaining money, 75 cents goes to system costs and 75 cents goes to an environment fund. |