Deposit Legislation Threatened?

Although opposition to Encorp's new 'recycle fees' is almost industry wide, Encorp Pacific, the nonprofit handler of the majority of the province's depositable beverage containers, is standing firm. Earlier this spring, Encorp asked retailers to implement a 'recycle fee' on some non-alcoholic beverage containers, from 1 cent to 7 cents depending on the size or material of the container.

The company cites several reasons for implementing this fee, from fluctuating commodity prices to a negotiated handling fee settlement with depot owners. Although industry representatives aren't buying these reasons, the BC Ministry of the Environment says the new fees are legal and Encorp has the right to implement them.

The move took Encorp's own recently appointed stakeholder advisory committee by surprise. The committee spent most of its March 27 meeting discussing the topic, with the only resolution being the committee will meet again to re-evaluate its goals.

Meanwhile, the BC Ministry of the Environment is audibly disturbed by the move and is currently reviewing their options on how to handle the situation.

Source: CWMA Newsletter (summer 2000), vol. 4 iss. 6.

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