Stewardship Agencies of British Columbia report jump in collection volumes in 2023

Stewardship Agencies of British Columbia (SABC), a coalition of extended producer responsibility (EPR) organizations across British Columbia, has released 2023 collection rates from its member organizations.

The EPR member organizations successfully diverted approximately 425 million kilograms (approximately 468,482.3 tons) of end-of-life products from landfills in 2023. The data revealed that British Columbians are recycling more beverage containers, thermostats, household batteries, large appliances and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms than in previous years.

“[British Columbia} offers the most extensive list of mandated materials for recycling in North America,” says Craig Wisehart, SABC ambassador. “Guided by the Province of BC’s Recycling Regulation, our industry-led programs increase access, improve collection volumes, divert materials from landfill and educate British Columbians to support a circular economy. On behalf of all members, I can say we are pleased to see so many recycling rates increasing from 2022. We are a self-motivated and self-organized collective of committed individual organizations deeply dedicated to our goals, and we work together for the mutual benefit of all people living in British Columbia.”

In 2023, the number of communities participating in curbside and/or multifamily collection for packaging and paper across the province grew to 196, servicing 1,649,000 households.

According to the 2023 SABC handout, the agency recovered more than 1.3 billion beverage containers, 4.1 million tires and approximately 221,564.6 tons of packaging, among other materials. More information on the 2023 collection volumes can be found here.

The SABC member organizations include Call2Recycle Canada; BC Brewers’ Recycled Container Collection Council (BRCCC); Encorp Pacific, better known as Return-It; Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Canada (OPEIC); Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA); Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable (MARR); Canadian Battery Association (CBA); Health Products Stewardship Association; Recycle BC; Product Care Recycling; ElectroRecycle; Thermostat Recovery Program (TRP); Tire Stewardship BC; and Interchange Recycling.