Association of Canadian Distillers - On the Issues: Solid Waste Management

Position

Comprehensive recycling programs are strongly endorsed by the Association of Canadian Distillers [ACD], especially voluntary provincial and community programs. Curbside collection [Blue Box] programs are the ACD's preferred option for retrieval of used containers. We support deposit/refund systems as a secondary option where required by legislation. Refilling of spirits containers is not considered a viable option.

Considerations

Distilled spirits containers constitute less than 1% of the solid waste stream in Canada and are not considered a significant litter problem.

Most consumers act responsibly in disposing of potential litter. Many communities have recycling programs with curbside collection, drop-off locations or buyback centres. Voluntary recycling programs should be permitted to operate and legislation should only be introduced if voluntary measure fail.

Successful recycling programs require comprehensive education and increased awareness. Positive incentives such as voluntary curbside collection programs and community initiatives are better than negative taxes and product bans. Legislation alone will not change public attitudes.

Container taxes unfairly raise prices, affecting sales. This penalizes those consumers who are willing to recycle containers, especially when these taxes are not directed to the specific environmental program related to these containers.

Deposits on liquor containers may have a minimal incremental effect on solid waste management. They also undermine the viability of curbside recycling programs by removing revenue generating glass, plastics and cans [especially aluminum] from the blue boxes. This leads to higher overall waste management costs.

Deposit/Refund programs drive-up administrative costs, inconvenience consumers, and decrease sales and government revenues. Where implemented, these programs must apply equally to beer, wine and spirits and to imported and domestic product containers in order to ensure a level playing field.

Refilling of spirits containers is not a viable option due to low volumes, proprietary bottle designs, costs associated with transportation due to limited production facilities and the vast geography of Canada, international trade implications and legal liability concerns.