PROVINCE PROTECTS SARCAN DEPOSIT REFUND SYSTEM

Released on April 30, 1999

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management Minister Lorne Scott

has introduced an amendment to The Litter Control Act. This amendment

will make it illegal for individuals to claim refunds from SARCAN on

beverage containers, if the deposit and the environmental handling

charges on the containers have not been paid to the province.



"We are having significant problems with individuals importing large

quantities of beverage containers from out-of-province and claiming a

deposit refund from SARCAN," Scott said. "This amendment addresses

these problems."



The amendment is aimed at preventing bulk importation of beverage

containers and will work to reduce crowding at SARCAN depots caused by

bulk importers. Depot operators have raised concerns that this

crowding is leading to a reduction in the returns by regular

customers.



The amendment also reduces the cost to Saskatchewan taxpayers. The

importing and returning of beverage containers not purchased in the

province costs the province close to $1.5 million annually.



The change in the legislation authorizes SARCAN depot operators

to set return rate limits. It also authorizes them to request

customers to show identification and to refuse payment if they

have reason to believe the environmental handling charges and

deposits have not been paid in Saskatchewan. The act enables

enforcement officers to stop and inspect vehicles and take

containers. It includes fines of up to $25,000 and jail terms of

up to three months for violations of the act.



SARCAN has been extremely successful in creating an effective,

province-wide beverage container collection and recycling system

for non-refillable containers. The program has both significant

social and environmental benefits in providing meaningful

employment to people with disabilities and in reducing the amount

of recyclable material going to landfills.



"SARCAN Recycling fully supports the measures taken by the

province to curb the bulk import of empty containers into

Saskatchewan," Ken Homenick, Director of Operations for SARCAN

said. "Preventing the import of these containers will help to

ensure the sustainability of the Saskatchewan beverage deposit

system, the future of SARCAN recycling and the employment of

SARCAN's 365 employees."



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For more information, contact:



Victor Chang

Environment and Resource Management

Regina

Phone:(306) 787-6185