Beverage container recycling system being modernized in B.C.

July 7, 2020, Burnaby, B.C. – Return-It has announced a broad suite of innovations aimed at modernizing British Columbia’s beverage container recycling system to make it easier and more convenient to recycle.

The initiatives reflect feedback from consumers and put a clear focus on enhancing the company’s recycling system to divert more material from landfills, oceans and waterways.

The province-wide, not-for-profit product stewardship organization has launched a six-month pilot program at select Return-It depots that will enable consumers to return both alcohol and non-alcohol aluminum beverage containers together for recycling – without having to sort – as one stream with one deposit amount.

The series of other initiatives being rolled out this year to modernize the beverage container recycling system for a greener future include:

• Expanding the number of Return-It Express Plus and solar-powered Express & GO contactless return stations around the province, including Vancouver Island, with new stations located in partnership with major retailers and shopping centres.
• Implementing a 10-cent unified deposit for all beverage containers – starting this fall – to simplify the overall system and make it even easier for consumers to recycle all their beverage containers – regardless of the size.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of a hybrid compaction truck that will reduce the number of vehicles used to transport containers for processing.
• Partnering with the Salvation Army to expand Return-It’s popular textiles collection program to safely drop off used clothing for recycling
• Introducing new automated sorting technologies and reverse-vending machines inside select Return-It depots to limit touch points in order to improve safety for depot employees and support the recycling experience.

“Even in these unprecedented times, British Columbians agree that recycling is important,” said Allen Langdon, president and CEO of Return-It. “That’s why we are doing even more to help consumers easily return their empty beverage containers for recycling, with innovations that build on our success and provide new, convenient options for today’s busy lives. These changes are based on consumer feedback, and we want to keep hearing from British Columbians so we can continue to enhance our program.”

Return-It is an industry owned, not-for-profit, product stewardship organization with beverage container management as its core business. Its mandate is to develop, manage and operate a cost-effective system for the responsible collection and recycling of beverage