Nova Scotia Boosting Payment for Collectors

RRFB Nova Scotia and the Brewers of Canada announced that handling fees for recyclable beverage containers and refillable beer bottles will significantly increase. The increase amounts to a 5.3 percent increase for recyclable beverage containers and a 6.5 percent increase for refillable beer bottles. This interim increase confirms RRFB Nova Scotia and the Brewers of Canada commitment to the independently owned Enviro-Depot Refund and Recycling Centres across Nova Scotia.

Handling fees for recyclable beverage containers will increase as follows:

- For the first 2 million beverage containers, the handling fee will increase from the current 3.1 cents to 3.4 cents per container, effective April 1, 2004.

- The handling fee for all containers above the 2 million mark will remain at 3.1 cents per container.

The handling fee for refillable beer bottles will increase by 6.5 percent through a two-step process, which includes:

- The current handling fee of 27 cents per dozen beer bottles will increase to 27.6 cents per dozen beer bottles, retroactive to January 1, 2003.

- Subsequently, the handling fee will further increase to 28.8 cents per dozen beer bottles effective April 1, 2004.

In 2003, RRFB Nova Scotia established a joint committee made up of depot operators, the Brewers of Canada, and RRFB Nova Scotia board members and staff. The committee's task was to develop an approach to setting handling fees paid for the recovery of beverage containers; review depot operating standards and procedures; and develop a communications protocol for regular, on-going contact with depot operators.

"With the work on the handling fee process near completion and a depot operator's manual drafted, our next goal is to finalize and circulate it to all Enviro-Depots this summer," says Firth. "Finally, RRFB Nova Scotia has established on-going communications with the Enviro-Depots in order to work together to make the ENVIRO-DEPOT(TM) network more efficient and ultimately increase the amount of beverage containers returned for a refund."