Ontario grocers have reached a deal to avoid collecting beer and wine empties, the province’s environment ministry announced on Tuesday.
Under the new agreement, which was negotiated between the Retail Council of Canada and the Beer Store, grocers will no longer be required to accept empty beer and wine containers for recycling.
This change comes after years of complaints from grocers about the burden of collecting and storing empty containers, which they say takes up valuable space and resources.
The deal also includes a provision for the Beer Store to increase the number of locations where customers can return their empties, making it more convenient for consumers.
In a statement, Environment Minister Jeff Yurek said the agreement will help reduce the amount of waste in landfills and improve the province’s recycling system.
“This is a win-win for both grocers and consumers,” Yurek said. “Grocers will no longer have to deal with the hassle of collecting and storing empty containers, and consumers will have more options for returning their empties.”
The Retail Council of Canada also praised the deal, saying it will allow grocers to focus on their core business and provide better service to customers.
The Beer Store, which is owned by three major brewers, has been the only retailer in Ontario allowed to sell beer and wine in bulk. This has led to criticism from smaller craft brewers and the public, who argue that the system is unfair and anti-competitive.
The new agreement is seen as a step towards modernizing Ontario’s alcohol retail system, which has been heavily regulated for decades.
The changes are expected to come into effect in the fall of 2022, pending approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
