PROJETS PILOTES DE LA MODERNISATION DU SYSTÈME DE CONSIGNE :

Beverage producers implement the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility

Montreal, August 17, 2021 – The Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA) is pleased to put the expertise of its members to good use in the implementation of pilot projects for the modernization of the deposit system, announced today by the Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change in line with the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Those beverage producers who are QBCRA members also applaud the Quebec government's willingness to entrust the modernization of the deposit system to the beverage industry, in line with the principles of EPR, which aim to minimize government intervention while giving producers optimal leeway. “We are convinced that the regulations to be published this fall will give the industry all the flexibility it needs to achieve its recycling objectives,” said Martin-Pierre Pelletier of the Canadian Beverage Association.

With approximately 85% of refundable products to fall under the new system, the QBCRA is well-suited to design, implement and operate an EPR-based beverage container management program. “The QBCRA invites other producers who are not yet members to join its ranks in order to represent all beverage producers,” said Annick Van Campenhout of the Conseil de la transformation alimentaire du Québec.

By means of seven pilot projects to be operated across the province until January 2022, QBCRA members will be able to identify the best operational and technological concepts for expanding the deposit system to all ready-to-drink beverages from 100 ml to 2 l. “Deploying such a system is time consuming and complex. That's why the pilot projects will provide essential information prior to the deployment of a modernized deposit system,” said Alain Madgin of the Quebec Brewers Association.

While waiting for the new system to be deployed in 2023, QBCRA members and other stakeholders are already working to measure key performance indicators to guide the deployment of a system that is effective, efficient and accessible. “The goal is to offer the best possible solutions to Quebecers who have been used to returning their refundable containers to food retailers for four decades,” said Sébastien Nadeau of the Association des négociants embouteilleurs de vin.

In addition to the reports, behavioural studies and financial analyses produced by the QBCRA or its members, the industry is confident that the pilot projects contribute to the development of an operational plan for the new deposit system in line with EPR principles.

The Quebec Beverage Containers Recycling Association

The Quebec Beverage Containers Recycling Association (QBCRA) brings together the various organizations involved in the recycling, recovery, reuse and reclamation of beverage containers in the province of Quebec in order to implement the expanded deposit system in line with the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

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L’Association québécoise de récupération des contenants de boissons (AQRCB) regroupe les différentes associations impliquées dans le recyclage, la récupération, le réemploi et la valorisation des contenants de boissons dans la province de Québec en vue de mettre en place le système de consigne élargi selon le principe de la responsabilité élargie des producteurs (REP).