Environmental advocates have raised concerns over a recent deal struck between the Beer Store and grocery retailers, warning that Ontario’s successful deposit return system is now in jeopardy.
The disappearance of Beer Store outlets across the province not only impacts the availability of alcohol but also reduces the number of locations where consumers can return empty containers and reclaim their deposits.
Although grocers with liquor licenses were set to begin accepting returns in the new year, a revised agreement exempts them from this obligation. This shift has led to certain areas becoming devoid of Beer Store locations, potentially resulting in decreased participation in the recycling initiative.
Karen Wirsig, a senior program manager at Environmental Defence, emphasized the significance of the Beer Store program, which has facilitated the return and reuse of containers for a century.
While the Ministry of Finance hailed the agreement as beneficial for businesses and consumers, questions remain regarding reduced access to return points and the potential decline in participation rates.
The Beer Store’s long-standing deposit return program, established in 1927 for its own products and expanded to all packaged alcohol in 2007, has been a notable success. The program includes a deposit fee incorporated into alcohol prices, with consumers receiving refunds upon returning cans and bottles for reuse or recycling.
Despite the program’s effectiveness, changes in the alcohol market, including the Ontario government’s decision to broaden alcohol sales to various retailers, have resulted in the closure of numerous Beer Store locations since 2024. Additional store closures are anticipated in Haliburton, Schomberg, Whitby, and Oshawa in the coming year.
The union president representing Beer Store workers expressed optimism about the agreement, noting that it secures continued demand for Beer Store outlets for deposit returns. However, he acknowledged that the evolving retail landscape may lead to a drop in container returns.
Regarding the revised agreement, details have not been publicly disclosed. However, reports confirm a commitment from the Beer Store to ensure a return point within 10 kilometers of the majority of Ontarians. This distance requirement marks a significant increase from previous targets, with implications for accessibility in both urban and rural areas.
Concerns have been raised about the inconvenience caused by closures of Beer Store locations, particularly in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. The potential for further closures raises uncertainties about the future of the deposit return program and the accessibility of return points for consumers.
Environmental advocates fear that reduced accessibility may lead to a decline in container returns, resulting in unclaimed deposits benefiting alcohol manufacturers and retailers. Calls have been made for unredeemed deposits to be reinvested in expanding deposit return infrastructure, but official responses on this matter remain pending.
As the Beer Store’s retail footprint faces potential changes, uncertainties persist regarding the future of the deposit return program and the availability of return locations for consumers.