Prince Edward Island (PEI) officially transitioned to an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Beverage Container Stewardship Program on April 1, 2026, and what a strong start it has been! Thanks to the combined dedication and hard work of PEI depot/redemption centre (RC) operators and Encorp staff in the lead-up to launch, the transition was a remarkable success.
Thank you as well to all producers for your collaboration with the Encorp team and for completing the required onboarding processes in advance of launch, ensuring a seamless and timely program start.
A major highlight of this transition is the introduction of full refunds on beverage container deposits. This exciting change puts more money back into customers’ pockets, creating a more powerful incentive to return their containers. Islanders quickly took advantage of the increased refunds, and return rates rose significantly. More customers began visiting RCs and making the most of the improved refund system, driving strong early results.
This early enthusiasm is incredibly encouraging. Although it’s natural to expect a dip in return volumes once the initial excitement settles—similar to what was experienced in New Brunswick (NB)—we are confident in the long-term outlook. The increased refund value has contributed to improved return rates in NB, and we are optimistic it will lead to sustained growth and higher overall return rates in PEI as well.
Building on this strong start, Encorp remains committed to supporting producers through ongoing program delivery, clear communication, and continuous improvement initiatives. We look forward to working together to strengthen performance over time and achieve lasting environmental outcomes across PEI.
