Great idea. I also like that this creates another revenue stream for binners in the city.

The beauty of a refundable deposit is that it rewards recycling and punishes those who don't recycle (they have to give up the deposit). This proposal scares the life out of producers and retailers because it brings the problem home to them. In 1994 then-Minister Moe Sihota threatened to put deposits on everything. He got the process started by adding a whole lot of new container types. Last year, Alberta put deposits on milk containers and suddenly recycling shot way up. It's long overdue here -- as is raising the deposit (it's at a dime in AB for containers that are a nickel here).

A very long way towards Greenest. Too many littlerbugs especially at the Celebration of Garbage.
More enforcement officers should be hired to enforce the littering bylaws .

I agree with this idea. I was just stating that I don't think it will get the popularity vote because most people think something's a good idea if it doesn't effect them directly or if they don't have to pay for it.

I'm confused, is this comment supportive of the idea or opposed? Isn't the goal to effect a lot of people? How can there be change in the absence of broadly reaching initiatives, and what would be the point of supporting initiatives that would have the least impact on the least number of people?

This is such a good idea. It should start with Parks Board concessions. I biked past Third Beach this morning and it's covered in disposable paper and plastic cups.

I feel like this will be an idea that won't get a lot of votes because it would effect a lot of people. I'm all for it. You want to keep your money, then help reduce your waste. It's that simple.

I agree with this initiative ... it's at least a start to acknowledging that these materials have a three fold negative environmental impact (1) first at the production stage, plastics and plastic coatings are a petroleum based product and the chemical additives in plastics produce noxious production waste; (2) in distribution/transport costs, rather than the one time distribution-impact if long life re-useable tableware, these disposable substitutes are being distributed time and time again from maker to distributor to food retailer; (3) on disposal, primarily as litter where the waste ends up in the plastic deposits in our Oceans once it rains and it travels through our curb side sewer systems and as off-gassing toxins in landfills. There has to be an accountability at some level to address such a grotesque affront to our environment. In addition to a container fee and broadening of the class of
containers that carry a deposit refund (ie. disposable coffee cups and take-out food containers with a food-grade rating)

Mandate that food and beverage establishments use only recyclable materials in take-out or takeaway food and beverage containers.

Require a litter-receptacle fee for additional containers as part of all take-out and fast-food food and beverage business licenses.