Technology, innovation, legislation and environmental impact have defined the beverage container recycling industry’s impact over 53 years; none of it would have been possible without collaboration from industry partners.

As the industry’s regulatory body delegated by the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas, Alberta’s Beverage Container Management Board (BCMB) must serve the public interest. They are mandated to regulate Alberta’s beverage container recycling system, ensure that the bottle depots in Alberta’s communities are well-regulated and managed, and make it as easy as possible for Albertans to recycle their beverage containers.

Additionally, the BCMB is responsible for registering all beverage containers sold or distributed within Alberta. They also set depot operating standards, issue depot permits, ensure that retailers advertise the deposit amounts, and monitor collection system operations for effectiveness and service quality.

Appointed by the beverage manufacturers as the industry’s collection system agent, Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC)has operated a cost-effective common collection system in Alberta for almost 30 years. But ABCRC’s role goes beyond container stewardship. ABCRC has always worked closely with municipalities, beverage manufacturers, depot operators, communities, industry stakeholders, and strategic partners to champion recycling literacy, drive innovation, and promote circularity and sustainability practices. Ultimately, their goal is to drive Alberta’s economy and move toward a future of becoming Canada’s first zero-waste province.  

ABCRC’s passion for sustainable eco-systems and environmental impact also extends beyond beverage containers. They proudly partner with other Canadian companies, educational institutions, and non-government organizations (NGOs) that also envision a future with a holistic circular economy for recyclables in Canada.

With aligned goals, objectives and desired outcomes, BCMB and ABCRC continue to make Alberta’s deposit return system the most effective and efficient system in Canada and North America