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The most recent changes to beverage container regulations in each province are listed in Table 2 in reverse chronological order. (Bold designates a move towards greater producer responsibility.)

While most Canadian provinces have succeeded in expanding or strengthening regulations covering beverage containers, efforts to expand existing deposit-return systems or to implement new deposit systems in the U.S. have failed with the exception of Maine's expansion.  Maine was successful in expanding its deposit law in 1990 to include all beverage containers with the exception of milk and cider.  Canada's adoption of 'full producer responsibility' has resulted in recovery rates that far exceed those in the U.S.  The exceptions are the ten states and one municipality that have beverage container deposit-return systems.

While producers responsibility in Canada typically manifest itself as a requirement for refundable deposits on beverage containers, provinces employ a variety of approaches to meet local needs.  For example, there is the distinction that some use a 'return to retail' approach, some employ 'universal depots' while other use both. (Universal depots are better known as redemption centers in the U.S.)  Another variation is that Manitoba and Quebec apply a levy on certain producers to pay the large majority of curbside recycling costs (albeit producing comparatively low recovery rates.) Table 3 lists the differing approaches to producer responsibility by province.  Ontario is the only province that does not impose some form of producer responsibility on the large majority of its beverages.

Another example of differing approaches among the provinces is the variety of measures in place to encourage or promote refillable beverage containers.  Seven of the ten provinces, accounting for over 80% of the population, apply some form of levy, fee or restriction that favors refillables, as can be seen in Table 4.

In summary, to increase recovery, reuse and recycling of beverage containers:

• All Canadian provinces (with the exception of Ontario) require a high level of producer responsibility almost always via deposit-return systems.
  
• Canada strongly supports refillables; and
  
• Since 1992, there has been significant momentum to ensure producer responsibility for beverage container waste.