The 30-year-old provincial Beverage Containers Program is set to see an upgrade.
On Wednesday, the provincial government introduced legislation, if approved it would modernize the program.
It comes as waste management and technology continues to advance, with New Brunswick’s program not keeping pace.
“We know how important the Beverage Containers Program is to beverage distributors and to consumers who want to recycle and help the environment,” said Gary Crossman, environment and climate change minister in a release.
As of April 1, 2022, NB Liquor will no longer be responsible for recycling alcohol containers, instead, responsibility will get transferred to the distributors, which keeps up with current waste management trends and the province’s other waste diversion programs.
The proposed changes would also provide an opportunity for distributors to co-operate and make improvements to the Beverage Containers Program, such as optimizing efficiencies at redemption centers, as well, reduce customer wait times; and providing additional return options for consumers, such as automated drop-and-go stations.
The legislation awaits final approval.
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