Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
On April 1, 2024, the New Brunswick Beverage Containers Program became an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, governed by the province’s Designated Materials Regulation (Clean Environment Act), and falling under the oversight of Recycle NB. The Regulation was then updated to version 2024-37 in July 2024, bringing some minor updates to the EPR Beverage Containers Program scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The Regulation, which dates back to 2008, establishes product stewardship recycling programs for various products in the Province. Beverage containers are one of these “designated materials”.
The Regulation states that “no person shall sell, offer for sale or distribute a designated material to another person in the Province unless the person holds or acts under the authority of a producer registration.” NB Designated Materials Regulation 2024-37, section 14(2)
The Regulation requires that beverage brand owners/producers submit to Recycle NB a stewardship plan outlining how their designated materials are recovered and recycled. Brand owners/producers can assign a producer responsibility organization (PRO) as their agent to handle this responsibility and operate a recycling program on their behalf.
Encorp Atlantic/Encorp Atlantique (“Encorp”) is a federally incorporated, non-profit PRO which manages New Brunswick’s EPR Beverage Containers Program since April 1, 2024. Brand owners/producers may appoint Encorp to manage the recovery of their post-consumer deposit-bearing beverage containers and fulfill some of their EPR regulatory requirements related to beverage containers as designated materials in New Brunswick.
Encorp’s Stewardship Plan
As the official PRO operating and managing the EPR Beverage Containers Program in New Brunswick in effect since April 1, 2024, Encorp met its obligation of submitting a Stewardship Plan to Recycle NB, as required by legislation. This Stewardship Plan – approved by Recycle NB – is available to access on Recycle NB’s website.
Registering with Recycle NB
Recycle NB is the agency responsible for overseeing waste management programs for materials specified in the New Brunswick Designated Materials Regulation (Clean Environment Act). The Regulation mandates that all producers of designated materials must be registered with Recycle NB for each product stewardship recycling program they engage in. If your company has previously registered with Recycle NB for another program, you must also register specifically for beverage containers. You will receive a separate registration number from Recycle NB for each program you register for on their website. www.recyclenb.com
Please note that registering with Recycle NB does not automatically appoint Encorp as your agent for the EPR Beverage Containers Program. You must also ensure you have assigned Encorp as your agent by submitting to us all required documentation.