Encorp Pacific (Canada) is one of North America's leading not-for-profit product stewardship corporations.
With a mandate to develop and manage a consumer-friendly, cost-effective system to recover end-of-life products and packaging for recycling, Encorp's recycling network is extensive and stretches across the province.
Probably best known for the Return-It System, Encorp's recycling network includes more than 170 Return-It depots in B.C. Each depot is independently owned, often family operated, and provides business and employment opportunities for communities across the province.
As the cornerstones of the Return-It system, these depots are known by 85 per cent of B.C. residents, and are the most common way that a beverage container is returned for recycling into the system.
Conveniently, many Return-It depots also accept a variety of other stewardship products, including electronics, small appliances, paint and more. More information about what's accepted where can be found at return-it.ca/locations.
To ensure customers get the best possible recycling experience, Encorp has taken steps to modernize depots by creating 3 and 5 Star Depot programs. Depots certified in the program must meet specific standards for service, cleanliness, design and convenience. Today's depots are clean, bright and open, with large sorting tables. Nearly every customer (94 per cent) who's recently visited a depot is satisfied with the experience. While beverage containers can still be returned to any retailer in B.C., their returns only represent seven per cent of the total collected. Return-It depots collect the vast majority of containers, and are part of a comprehensive recycling network.
For hotels, office buildings, restaurants, other businesses and multi-family buildings, many Return-It depots and specialized mobile collectors offer a pick-up program, primarily provided within the Vancouver area. Independent contractors will pick up used containers and take them to Return-It collection facilities. If you live in a townhouse, condominium or apartment, look for the Encorp or Return-It branded collection bins installed in your garbage and recycling area.
If you live in a residence where municipal pickup is available, you can leave containers for curbside pickup. Be aware, though, that the type of containers accepted will vary based on your municipality. It's always best to check with your local municipality to confirm what's acceptable and what isn't.
For recycling "on the go," you may have noticed that Encorp has installed 60 new beverage container recycling bins in the City of Vancouver. These bins are non-locking and designed to be self serviced by residents or people wanting to receive the deposit refund attached to each container.
Around 176 bear-proof recycling bins can also be found in approximately 14 B.C. parks. The parks receive the deposit refunds and most proceeds are given to their chosen charities. To date, more than $75,000 in deposit refunds have been provided to B.C. parks.
Also, Encorp has been running a School Recycling Program since 2000. B.C. elementary and high schools can register and compete against one another to collect the most recyclable containers. Not only do schools get to keep the deposit refunds, but cash prizes are awarded to the schools that collect the most containers per student. To date, schools have recycled almost 37 million containers and received more than $2.2 million in deposit refunds.
Recent research shows that 92 per cent of B.C. residents know of a place to return beverage containers to receive their deposit refund.
WHO FOOTS THE BILL?
Encorp is 100 per cent industry operated and receives no government funding. They combine private sector efficiencies with a high degree of transparency to manage these various recycling programs.
With B.C.'s growing recycling networks, recycling couldn't be easier. Look for a Return-It depot or recycling bin near you, and keep your recyclable products in the system and out of the landfill.
CONTAINERS GET A SECOND LIFE
Used aluminum cans are crushed and baled. The bales are sold and the aluminum is melted down and reformed into new aluminum cans. It takes 95 per cent less energy to manufacture a recycled can than it does to make a new one.
Drink boxes and cartons are mashed into a paper pulp that is used to make cardboard boxes and tissue paper. Every tonne of recycled paper pulp saves approximately 17 trees.
Plastic bottles are washed, shredded and formed into pellets. From there, the material is sold to companies who turn those pellets into new plastic containers.
Used glass bottles are crushed into a fine material called cullet. Cullet is used in the manufacturing of a variety of things such as new bottles, sandblasting material and fiberglass insulation.
