Recommendation
The Federal Government should establish and support the implementation of a National Recycling Strategy in Canada, through consultation with the provinces and territories to ensure a robust and harmonized framework across the country, including providing support to develop the necessary infrastructure to increase domestic recycling and material reuse.
About the Canadian Beverage Association
The Canadian Beverage Association (CBA) is the national voice for more than 60 brands of non-alcoholic beverages. Most of the beverages sold by our members across the country are made and shipped within Canada. CBA members are committed to maintaining and growing their contributions to the Canadian
economy and the communities in which they operate. For every production dollar we earn, 88 cents are retained in the Canadian economy, supporting local businesses, hardworking families – the majority of which are middle class – and the communities where they live and work.
The non-alcoholic beverage sector is a major economic driver, contributing over $5.37 billion in GDP and directing over $977.3 million in federal tax revenue. In fact, according to the Conference Board of Canada, between 2017 and 2021, the overall investment in the non-alcoholic beverage sector amounted to more than $500 million.
The beverage sector is also an engine of job creation across Canada. The sector’s economic activities generated $3.4 billion in labour income and supported 55,868 full-time-equivalent (FTE) jobs across Canada in 2019. More than 90 percent of those jobs were concentrated in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, with 46 percent in Ontario alone. The sector supported employment across various industries, including manufacturing, finance, transportation, and warehousing.
Our sector is creating a circular economy for beverage containers in Canada. As an established leader in extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, the beverage sector shares the Government of Canada’s goal of advancing the circular economy and achieving zero plastic waste. CBA members support the harmonization of EPR systems and have been actively working toward this goal through producer-led beverage container recycling programs, such as Encorp Pacific in British Columbia, the Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC), the Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association (CBCRA), the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA) and Encorp Atlantic.
Recycling beverage containers creates jobs. For example, it is estimated that around 17 full-time equivalent (FTE) direct jobs are created per 1,000 tonnes of beverage containers recovered from Alberta’s deposit-return system (DRS) program. In Ontario, the current Ontario Blue Box curbside collection system creates 7,105 direct FTE jobs and a further 5,471 indirect and induced jobs for 12,576 FTE.
The beverage sector is committed to ensuring a health-conscious approach to the consumption of all their products and continues to provide a range of options and information so that consumers can choose what is best for them. Low-calorie non-alcoholic beverage servings have outstripped their full-calorie counterparts and become mainstream over the past decade. Between 2009 and 2021, the share of low-calorie servings of total non-alcoholic beverage volumes has steadily increased from 44 percent to 58 percent.4 This shift toward low-calorie servings has been driving the reduction in the overall amount of daily calories consumed from beverages per person.
CBA and its members implement proactive voluntary initiatives to reduce sugar consumption from nonalcoholic beverages, establish responsible marketing guidelines, and demonstrate leadership in the stewardship of beverage containers. For example, the Balance Calories Initiative aims to reduce the
number of calories Canadians consume from non-alcoholic beverages by 20% by 2025, a target the industry is on track to meet. In addition, we are signatories to the Code for the Responsible Advertising of Food and Beverage Products to Children, which came into effect June 28, 20235, have established guidelines for CBA members regarding the sale of beverages in schools,6 and provide consumers with calorie information at their fingertips through our industry-leading Clear on Calories7 front-of-pack labelling program.
Proposal – A National Recycling Strategy
Background
Canada faces a significant challenge in managing its increasing waste generation. A national recycling strategy would focus on waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, contributing to a circular economy and reducing the reliance on landfill disposal. A national recycling strategy is crucial for Canada to address environmental, economic, and social challenges associated with waste management. It provides a framework for coordinated efforts, encourages responsible practices, and contributes to a more sustainable and resilient nation.
At the CBA, we are currently faced with a patchwork of recycling systems. Although some provinces have developed recycling systems that see a high return rate of beverage containers, some continue to lag. By taking a collaborative and coordinated approach, provinces in Canada can lead the development of a robust and sustainable national recycling strategy that addresses the environmental challenges associated with waste management. Further, it drives efficiency for beverage producers at a time of food inflation.
A cohesive and effective national recycling strategy in Canada requires collaboration among provinces to address waste management collectively. Provinces should work towards standardizing recycling practices, including collection methods, accepted materials, and processing technologies. This standardization can facilitate a seamless and consistent approach to recycling across the country.
Further, we believe that developing a national recycling strategy would allow for coordination in the development of comprehensive recycling harmonization that sets uniform standards and guidelines for waste management. Harmonization can establish recycling targets, enforce extended producer responsibility (EPR), and provide a framework for consistency across provinces. With the ambitions of the Federal Government to reduce plastic waste, this strategy would ensure the provinces retain their autonomy and authority in waste management but establish much-needed coordination.
Collaboration and Support
Currently, provinces work in isolation and there is limited connectivity on the advancement of waste management. A national recycling strategy would also foster an environment that would explore partnerships with neighbouring provinces and territories. Sharing experiences and solutions with other regions facing similar challenges can enhance the effectiveness of a national recycling strategy.
Further, the strategy would foster a unified system for reporting and monitoring recycling efforts. This can include standardized metrics, reporting formats, and evaluation criteria to assess the success of the strategy on a national level. Provinces can work together to ensure the national agenda aligns with their collective recycling goals.
We believe for national goals to be achieved, provinces should work towards harmonizing recycling practices, including collection methods, and accepted materials. This standardization can facilitate a seamless and consistent approach to recycling across the country.
The Federal Government should leverage the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment as a venue to participate in discussion, understand the needs of the provinces, and garner insight on how what resources are needed to ensure increased recycling rates across the country. This would ensure that approach is not top down, but the provinces and territories can collaborate and build consensus on realistic targets to achieve feasible targets. This national leadership, supported by the Federal Government would dramatically advance Canada’s global position in combating material waste.
Concepts
It is important that the Federal Government collaborates with the provinces to establish a strategy that works for everyone. This includes providing the tools the provinces and territories need to work within their own jurisdictions. The federal government can play a crucial role in supporting a national recycling strategy by providing leadership, coordination, and resources.
There are key elements the Federal Government should consider to ensure that a national recycling strategy is successful:
- FUNDING – Allocate funding to support the development and implementation of recycling infrastructure, research and development, public awareness campaigns, and other initiatives. Financial support can help provinces invest in necessary resources and new technologies.
- SUPPORT INNOVATION – Provide financial incentives and grants for provinces and businesses that adopt innovative recycling technologies, practices, and materials. This can encourage the development and implementation of cutting-edge solutions.
- R&D – Allocate funds for research and development projects focused on improving recycling technologies, waste reduction methods, and sustainable packaging solutions.
- DATA – Leverage existing and standardized system(s) for data collection and reporting on recycling efforts. For example, the proposed registry on plastics, which is intended to capture certain relevant data. This can help track progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure accountability in achieving national recycling targets.
By taking these steps, the federal government can provide essential support and leadership to ensure the success of a national recycling strategy instituted by the provinces through national leadership and support. Coordination between the federal and provincial levels is key to achieving a sustainable and effective waste management system in Canada.