Ontario to implement a bottle-deposit system....finally.

[Canuck E Stan]

Ont. to start deposit-return system

Premier Dalton McGuinty had few details Sunday as he announced Ontario would start charging deposits on all liquor and wine containers sold through Liquor Control Board stores as of next February.

McGuinty said the deposit-return system would apply to all liquor and wine bottles, cans and soft-sided containers sold through the LCBO and wine stores, and that empties would be returned to local Beer Stores for a refund.

Opposition leader John Tory said Sunday he likes the idea of a deposit-return system for liquor bottles, but criticized the Liberal government's plan as poorly thought out.

"This is a death bed repentance because of the impending Michigan garbage crisis - a problem Dalton McGuinty's lack of leadership has created," Tory said in a telephone interview.

"Mr. McGuinty can't answer even the most basic questions about this program, which proves it's just another PR stunt. Liberals have done nothing to keep their promise of increasing waste diversion to 60 per cent, and we've seen no progress reports."

McGuinty dismissed claims the new plan could halt construction of a proposed glass recycling plant in the Toronto area, saying it won't be reducing the amount of glass available in the marketplace.

So is Tory right about McGuinty or is there another motive for the quick environmental concerns?

Leah Casselman, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, said in a written statement that melting down bottles does not make sense when millions could be reused.

Casselman added that LCBO stores should be responsible for any bottle-return system. She argued that the liquor retailer already has relationships with wineries and could help reuse the empties.

Is it pratical for wine and liquor bottlese to be sent back to be re-used?

[cybercoma]

The deposit is not worth the price of gas to drive down the street to the beer store. They really should accept the returns at the LCBO stores where the bottles are purchased.

[Riverwind]

Is it pratical for wine and liquor bottlese to be sent back to be re-used?

BC has a system where every container for beverages is recycled - including those paper drinking boxes. Most stores no longer accept returns and people are encouraged to use retail bottle depots which are set up around the city. I don't have any stats on whether the system is economical or how much landfill is reduced. However, personally I have gotten use to throwing drinking containers into a seperate garbage bag - every few months I run down to the local depot and collect my $20 or so. The hassle is minimal.

[Durgan]

Glass bottles are not an environmental hazard in any way. A finely crushed bottle is harmless in general. Mind you, I have no objection to re-cycling or collecting bottles, but they constitute no environmental problem of any significience. Plus they are a pain in the ass for the recipeint store, depending upon how they be returned.

A deep dig in a few dumps a few years ago found paper, particularly phone books were completely readable after 20 years. Since then this has probably been addressed. I mention this for interest only.

The thing that I find dotting the landscape is Time Horton Coffee cups. I found them all through the North on three recent trips. Paper does not deteriorate well in nature.

Mr. McGuinty is suggesting correcting a problem focusing on the wrong item. It should be Tim Horton Cups, plus other paper cups from the fast food joints.

Durgan.

[M.Dancer]

The deposit is not worth the price of gas to drive down the street to the beer store. They really should accept the returns at the LCBO stores where the bottles are purchased.

I agree.....but for me the Scrivener LCBO is across the street from the Beer store.

My question is, Should I start saving my bottles now? And how many bottles would fit into a 5' x 10' x 10' starage locker?

[lamina]

This issue is actually a little more interesting than the bottles themselves.

This is the first step in bringing the Brewers Retail and the LCBO closer together.

The BR has always touted their superior return bottle capabilities (although it was great simplified by having limited types of bottles and few suppliers). The LCBO has resisted this recycling effort for years.

In the continuing war by the Brewers of Canada to keep the Brewers Retail as the monopoly it is, they have been actively pushing ideas to keep the mandate. If they have a unique and special role then they have a purpose that might keep them alive.

Think about it - recycling is far less likely to be successful if the beer is spread across grocery stores throughout the province. In addition if this effort takes some time to implement, then they have another window where changes in mandate are unlikely. While this is a small victory for Brewers Retail, it is another little patch in the survival armour of their monopoly. Why not make a sacrifice for the greater good if it keeps them off the radar for a while?

All in all - Brewers 1 Ontario 0