Saskatchewan

Details

The program is administered by the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centers (SARC).[3] Its recycling division, SARCAN, operates under contract to Saskatchewan Environment and is authorized by The Litter Control Act. Saskatchewan Environment (the Ministry) designates the containers which can be collected for recycling and establishes the refundable deposit and the Environmental Handling Charge (EHC) that consumers will pay.

The consumer pays a refundable deposit and an EHC on the beverage container to the retailer which in turn is passed through the distributor to the government. When returning the container to a SARCAN depot, the consumer receives the deposit refund from SARCAN. The deposit paid out is subsequently reimbursed to SARCAN by the government. The EHCs are not refunded to the consumer and help to finance SARCAN's province-wide transportation, processing and marketing system. This currently covers all ready-to-serve beverages packaged in non-refillable containers (except milk) which include soft drinks, fruit juices, fruit drinks, bottled waters and liquor containers.[4]

Additionally, other beer retailers accept returns at a discounted refund ranging from 5 cents to 8 cents per bottle. This occurs because although retailers are required to take back bottles, they are not required to give a full refund. SARCAN depots accept refillable beer bottles at a discounted rate of 4 cents per bottle.

The Litter Control Regulations, 1973,[5] promulgated under the Litter Control Act[6] governs the deposit and refund regime in the province.

The deposit-return system is operated by "The Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centers" (SARCAN). This organization is a registered non-profit corporation whose mandate is to provide service, training and employment for persons with disabilities. Over 80% of SARCAN's employees are persons with disabilities. All beer is formally return-to-retail or to SARCAN for a discounted refund.

Beer System

Beer cans are legislated containers and are returned as part of the SARCAN system.

Refillable beer bottles are regulated under the Saskatchewan Litter Act and the Liquor and Gaming Act. These bottles can be returned to Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
(SLGA) stores, hotels, and depots. All SARCAN depots and all SLGA stores keep a 6-cent portion of the 10-cent refund as a handling fee.

Dairy System

Prior to 2016, SARCAN and 21 other recycling providers collected and processed milk containers through a voluntary recycling system, in contract with the Dairy industry in Saskatchewan.[8] The dairy industry used to fund collection and processing costs plus management and advertising through a levy on all large size milk containers.

From January 1, 2016 and April 1, 2017, dairy products were recycled through municipal household recycling programs that varied from one community to the next.[7]

On April 1, 2017, “ready-to-serve” dairy products were brought into the deposit system. They are defined as milk, buttermilk, cream, fluid coffee creamers, lactose-free milk products, and drinkable yogurt. According to SARCAN, the entity that manages the deposit program, the change was made to "standardize the treatment of milk with other beverages, reduce confusion for consumers, retailers and producers and enhance milk container recycling and waste diversion rates within the province." [9]