Bottle Bill Resource Guide

Details

The Prince Edward Island (PEI) Beverage Container Management System was established under the Beverage Containers Act (May 2008). The goal of this program is to increase the range of beverage options available to consumers, while diverting beverage containers from the landfill for recycling. Starting in 1977, non-refillable containers for beer and soft drinks were banned in the province. However, that law was repealed in 2008. Now all beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) must be sold in recyclable containers, subject to a partially refundable deposit. Beverages may not be sold if they are connected by plastic rings or any other connecting device which is not biodegradable or photodegradable. [3] 

Brand owners are required to collect and remit a deposit from consumers to the PEI Department of Finance on applicable liquor and non-liquor beverage containers. The deposit is partly refunded (50%) to consumers for each container returned at one of the depots. Deposits on refillable containers, including domestic beer bottles are completely refundable. The PEI Department of Environment, Water and Climate Change is responsible for the oversight of the program.

Image: "How It Works." Deposit and refund amounts for containers in Prince Edward Island. Government of Prince Edward Island. Published January 11, 2021.

Non-alcoholic beverages

No entity may sell a beverage in Prince Edward Island until the distributor and the type of beverage has been approved by the Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry, and a plan exists for the refilling or recycling of the containers. Distributors must be registered under the Act. The retailer pays the manufacturer a deposit and recoups it on sale. The retailer gets the deposit from the consumer.

Empty containers may only be returned to licensed depots (Beverage containers may still be collected by Island Waste Management Corporation, but they are not eligible for a refund). Anyone may apply for a license to operate a beverage container depot. For every container returned, the depot receives a refund and handling fee from the manufacturer. Distributors or their agents may collect the containers from the depots for recycling. Currently there are 11 licensed depots, found here.

Unredeemed deposits accrue to the state, to fund the deposit system and environmental programs. Scrap revenues on wine and spirits containers accrue to the Liquor Commission.

Beer System

Beer must be sold in refillable containers. Beer is sold in liquor stores but must be returned to depots. Wine and spirits are also sold through the Liquor Commission but can be returned either to the Liquor Commission stores or depots. Customers receive the minimum required refund when containers are returned to the depots. Depot operators redeem the containers at the Liquor Commission for their full refund. The Liquor Commission markets the scrap materials.

Wine and liquor

Wine must be sold in recyclable bottles. [4] The bottles may be subjected to a ‘half-back’ deposit system of 10¢ with 5¢ back, for less than 500mL and twice that for any bottle larger. [5]

Footnotes

[1] "Global Deposit Book 2022: An Overview of Deposit Systems for Single-Use Beverage Containers." Reloop Inc. November 2022.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Litter Control Regulations, P.E.I. Reg. EC697/91, s. 3.

[4] Litter Control Regulations, P.E.I. Reg. EC697/91, ss. 6(2).

[5] Ibid., ss. 6(2). 

Last Updated on May 24, 2023.