QUEEN’S PARK — MPP Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to news that Ontario will not implement a deposit-return system on non-alcoholic beverage containers.
“The government’s decision to abandon its plans for a deposit-return system on non-alcoholic beverage containers is a classic case of the government putting corporate greed over public good.
Deposit-return programs are proven to successfully divert bottles and cans from our landfills, lakes and parks. That’s why almost every other province already has one in place.
Ontario’s existing recycling program has major shortcomings, diverting less than 50 percent of non-alcoholic beverages. Meanwhile, the alcoholic beverage deposit-return programs we already have in place have success rates of 70 to 80 percent.
This should be a no-brainer for the government. But once again, the Premier is more concerned with keeping corporations happy than helping out ordinary Ontarians.”