How this stewardship organization is taking Alberta to a sustainable future
Alberta’s population is growing, and that means we’re buying more products and using more beverage containers than ever.
Without a strong, reliable system to recover and recycle beverage containers effectively, we risk overflowing landfills, lost deposit refunds, and increasing pressure on waste management systems.
The good news? Alberta is already a national – and international – leader in beverage container recovery performance, with an impressive 85 per cent return rate. But we’re not stopping there. We’re aiming even higher. That means finding new ways to engage Albertans, improve systems and make every container count.
“The challenge lies in efficiently recovering the rising volume of beverage containers,” says Guy West, CEO of Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC).“The opportunity, on the other hand, is advancing innovation and adaptability to support sustainable growth and meet future demand.”
With that in mind, here’s what ABCRC is doing to help lead Alberta to a more sustainable future, by reducing waste, recovery more containers and keeping valuable materials in use.
What’s being done
Did you know that when you buy a single-serve, ready to drink beverage in a container, you’re also paying a refundable deposit? Valued at either 10¢ or 25¢ depending on the size of the container, you get the deposit back when returning the container to a bottle depot.
ABCRC picks up those containers from depots, sorts and processes them, and sends them off to become new products. Et voila! It’s the circular economy doing its essential work, but more on that later.
In 2023 alone, the recycling and recovery of Alberta’s non-refillable refundable beverage containers diverted more than 99 million kilograms of material away from landfills.
Even though we’re doing great, it’s not just about what we’re doing today. It’s about preparing for our population growth and ensuring our operations can scale for future generations.
Why it matters for Alberta
Sure, recycling helps protect our environment. But it also helps build a better economy.
Through its work, ABCRC is helping lay the foundation for a circular economy — a system where resources are reused, recycled, and reimagined instead of being thrown away. And this model benefits everyone.
Firstly, a deposit return system incentivizes Albertans with refunds back for returning their beverage containers.
Plus, provincial data shows more than 7,500 jobs are tied to recycling activities, and the beverage container recycling sector plays a large part in this number with nearly 220 bottle depots in Alberta.
When Industrial Commercial & Institutional (ICI) partners (like stadiums, schools, businesses) get involved, the benefits multiply. A more engaged ICI sector means greater environmental gains and bigger economic impact.
The future
To ensure a future where Alberta remains a national leader in beverage container recycling and recovery, ABCRC is investing in cutting-edge sorting tech and exploring digital tools at its two processing facilities to optimize its processes as populations grow.
Across the province many bottle depot owners are embracing new technology and innovation to enhance the consumer experience, transforming what is often looked at as a “life errand” into a faster and more positive experience.
The population may be growing, but so is the potential to build a cleaner, smarter Alberta!
Head over to ABCRC’s website to learn more about recycling beverage containers in Alberta.
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