Encorp Pacific Canada Issues Recycling Challenge to BC Residents

One billion beverage containers "a good start," but British Columbians can do even more


VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 22, 2015) - In honour of Earth Day, Encorp Pacific Canada is challenging British Columbians to recycle more than one billion beverage containers.

In 2014, BC residents returned almost a billion beverage containers to 172 Return-It Depots throughout the province. That's over a 30% increase from ten years ago. This year, Encorp wants to surpass that number.

"I think one billion is a pretty good start when it comes to recycling," said Scott Fraser, President and CEO of Encorp Pacific. "But Earth Day is a great opportunity for us to come together and do even more. Recycling used beverage containers when you're out and about is an easy way to make a significant and long-lasting impact on the environment."

To encourage BC residents to recycle even more, Encorp is introducing its Return-It to Win-It contest where you could turn your empties into a new set of wheels. BC residents can simply bring in their empty beverage containers to a participating Return-It Depot between now and July 31st to be entered to win the grand prize of a 2015 Toyota Prius C hybrid with an approximate retail value of $21,000. Second prize is a Stromer e-Bike. Third prize is a pair of Pelican brand kayaks.

Recycling beverage containers pays a number of dividends to British Columbians:

  • BC residents prevented 94,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere by recycling beverage containers last year.
  • In 2013, residents diverted over 4.9 million kilograms of aluminum from BC landfills by recycling aluminum cans.
  • Recycling plastic soda and water bottles provides an 86% energy savings over manufacturing new plastic.
  • For every tonne of paper pulp recycled from polycoated packaging (drink boxes, juice cartons, etc.), British Columbians save 17 trees.

About Encorp:

Encorp Pacific (Canada) is a federally incorporated not-for-profit stewardship corporation. Committed to developing and managing a consumer-friendly and cost-effective system to recover beverage containers from consumers and ensure that they are recycled and not incinerated or landfilled. To learn more about Encorp Pacific (Canada), visit return-it.ca.

If you'd like more information about recycling in BC and the Return-It To Win-It contest, or to schedule an interview with Scott Fraser, please call Sandy Sigmund at (604) 473-2400 or visit return-it.ca/winit.

Contact Information:

Media Contact: Encorp Pacific Canada
Sandy Sigmund
Vice President, Development & CMO
(604) 473-2400 or 1-800-330-9767
www.return-it.ca