All beverage containers sold in Alberta must be registered with the BCMB. This includes non-alcohol, alcohol and cannabis beverages. Scroll down to learn more.

Why all Beverage Containers Must be Registered

The BCMB’s Manufacturer and Retailer By-law sets out the requirement for manufacturers to register all beverage containers sold in Alberta. This requirement is also provincially legislated in the Beverage Container Recycling Regulation. The regulation defines a beverage as any liquid that is a ready-to-serve drink and is not exempt from the regulation. It defines a container as a bottle, can, plastic cup or paperboard carton or a package made of metal, plastic, paper, glass or other material, or a combination of them, that contains or has contained a beverage. 

To review BCMB by-laws click the link below to be redirected to the BCMB Governing Documents page:

Only beverage containers that have been approved by the BCMB can be sold in Alberta. The BCMB determines if a beverage container can be recycled in a manner satisfactory to the Board. In determining this, the BCMB may consider the following:

  • The proposed method of recycling, including whether the beverage container can be recycled by a method not previously found to be satisfactory by the BCMB
  • If the beverage container can be recycled without contamination to the beverage container recycling system
  • If the beverage container can be disassembled in order to avoid contamination to the beverage container recycling system
  • The percentage by weight of materials recoverable
  • The cost of recycling, including any costs of disassembly
  • The marketability of the beverage container materials
  • If the beverage container can be visually identified as being distinct from other approved containers
  • Any other criteria relevant to recyclability that the BCMB may consider appropriate.

Learn more about beverage container registration

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Manufacturers, Distributors & Retailers

Registration requirements for manufacturers, distributors and retailers can be found by clicking on the links below to be redirected to the appropriate page:

Registering your beverage container is the law

Failure to register a beverage container can result in fines of up to $500,000 for a corporation or up to $50,000 for an individual.  

 

BCMB Mandate - to regulate and enhance a leading beverage container system that protects Alberta’s environment.