The provincial government announced the cancellation of a possible return-for-deposit system on non-alcoholic beverage containers, which a provincially appointed working group was considering over the last year. The group’s purpose was to reduce garbage in landfills, ditches and waterways.
The press secretary for Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks said, “Following extensive consultation with stakeholders, it was made clear that creating a new, mandatory bottle deposit return system would add significant costs for small businesses and families…”
The Retail Council of Canada said it supports the government’s decision, but the Canadian Beverage Association stated it supported expanding the province’s existing deposit system. Currently only alcoholic beverages are return-for-deposit. A poll by Environmental Defence found 81% of Ontarians support a deposit return system, with the highest support of 89% in rural Ontario.
Ashley Wallis, associate director at Environmental Defense, said the decision is disappointing.
This is especially a local concern because recently the City of Ottawa announced its municipal landfill is nearing capacity.