ALBERTA IMPOSES CONTAINER RECYCLING FEE

The Canadian province of Alberta has introduced a recycling fee for plastic and glass beverage containers, but not for aluminium cans. The initiative is sponsored by the Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corp. (ABCRC) and is similar to charging systems already operating in British Columbia and Saskatchewan. The aim of the recycling fee is to cover the difference between the costs of the beverage container recycling system and the money from unredeemed deposits. According to ABCRC, the system needs around US$million more per year than is generated by the two funding sources. The container recycling fee in non-refundable although deposits remain fully refundable. Critics of the movie, however, say that the non-refundable represents a tax. The fee is seven cents per container for larger plastic bottles and most glass bottles,compared to two cents on smaller juice boxes and drink pouches.