Newfoundland’s Beverage Container Program
In early 1997, the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment and Labour launched the “Beverage Recycling Program” under the Waste Management Control Act. The provincewide program covers all ready-to-drink beverage containers excluding milk, nutritional supplements, refillables and containers larger than 5 litres in size. The province set target recovery rates of 50 per cent in 1997, 60 per cent in 1998, 70 per cent in 1999 and 80 per cent in 2000.
The program is based on the “halfback” model common to the Atlantic Provinces. Consumers pay a deposit of 20 cents on alcohol containers and 6 cents on all non-alcohol containers; they receive refunds of 10 and 3 cents respectively.
Containers are returned to 37 province- wide “Green Depots” or over 50 satellite depots and sub-depots, which are set up in more remote areas and operate out of schools, small retail outlets and other community businesses.
