Notice to beverage product brand owners/producers,
The Government of Prince Edward Island (PEI) is transitioning the province’s Beverage Container Program to an EPR model, effective April 1, 2026. You can view the newly revised Environmental Protection Act Materials Stewardship and Recycling Regulations that govern all PEI EPR programs via the PEI Government’s website. (Division 9 of the posted PDF document – which starts on page 48 – outlines how the regulations will apply to beverage containers.)
Encorp Atlantic/Encorp Atlantique (“Encorp”) has been collaborating closely with the PEI Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, along with other stakeholders, to prepare for this transition. Having successfully led the move to EPR for beverage containers in New Brunswick on April 1, 2024, Encorp has been recommended as the producer responsibility organization (PRO) to oversee the new EPR program in PEI. Encorp is well-positioned to guide the beverage industry through this upcoming change, utilizing its established systems, oversight, and proven experience.
What This Means for Industry
- Agreements: Beverage producers selling products in PEI will be able to appoint Encorp as their agent/PRO for the new EPR program. Producers already familiar with Encorp will note that the registration process will be very similar to the one they completed in New Brunswick. It will involve signing an official agreement that assigns Encorp responsibility for fulfilling certain EPR obligations on their behalf.
- Implementation Date: The official start date for the new EPR program in PEI will be April 1, 2026, allowing sufficient time for beverage producers and retailers to prepare.
- Deposits and Refunds: The program will transition to a full deposit-refund model on April 1, 2026. Any changes to the current deposit amounts will be determined and communicated by Encorp to producers and retailers no later than October 31, 2025.
- Container Recycling Fee (CRF): A CRF model to support program costs will be developed. Final CRF rates for PEI will be announced by Encorp no later than October 31, 2025. Further clarifications and guidance on CRFs will be communicated to producers and retailers this fall.
Next Steps
- Encorp will submit a stewardship plan to the PEI Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action by the end of September 2025. Once approved, it will be shared with all stakeholders and published on Encorp’s website.
- Producers can anticipate more detailed guidance this fall regarding agreements and registration with Encorp. Reporting and remitting of deposits and CRFs will be similar to the process in New Brunswick and will be done via the same portal on Encorp’s website. Reporting and remitting to Encorp for beverage containers sold in PEI will commence on April 1, 2026.
- Encorp will launch a coordinated communications campaign ahead of April 2026 to ensure that producers, retailers, depots, and consumers in PEI are well informed.
- Webinars will be held on November 20, 2025, and February 26, 2026, both at 1:00 p.m. Atlantic Time. Invitations will be sent in advance.
We encourage all beverage industry members to follow Encorp’s communications over the coming months closely.
More Information
A preliminary FAQ is included in this PDF document for your reference.
For any other immediate questions or concerns, please get in touch with our team at 1-877-389-7320 or [email protected].
Gilles Doucette
Encorp Atlantic President & CEO