TORONTO -- A new pilot project by The Beer Store allows Ontarians to recycle old paint, batteries and consumer electronics as well as empty alcohol containers at one facility.
The Recycling Plus pilot is a stand-alone facility -- billed as the first of its kind in Ontario -- that will only take in used product and will not sell any beer.
Regular beer stores will continue to accept alcohol bottle returns.
"This place is a dedicated service for folks who are bringing back a whole lot of empties at once," said Ted Moroz, president of The Beer Store.
"It will allow us to handle returns quicker, and get them (customers) in and out quicker."
Allowing consumers to bring in old paint, batteries and electronics "gives people one more reason to come here," he said.
If the pilot in west-end Toronto is successful, more centres will open across the province.
Ontario Environment Minister Jim Bradley pushed the first bin of returns down the rollers and through the green ribbon, "cutting" it in the process.
"It's a great facility, a sign of growth and innovation in Ontario," he said. It's "a true one-stop shop" for waste-conscious Ontarians.
The Beer Store is running this project in partnership with the non-profit Stewardship Ontario, which runs the blue box and orange drop programs, and Sims Recycling, electronic waste recycling specialists.
Moroz said they chose the location of the first facility based on its accessibility.
"We are in a highly urban area," he said. "It's a good place for bulk returns. There are a lot of folks who just want to return a lot of empties whether it's a charity bottle drive or someone just wanting to clean out their garage."
Cindy Coutts, president of Sims Canada, said the facility would initially just be a place to drop off used paint, battery and electronics for recycling, but would eventually offer incentives for recycling these items to organizations looking to raise money.
When products are brought to the recycling centre, returns are sorted into separate bins -- one for each type of return. Employees have been given health and safety training and have access to protective equipment.
"There is very little chance for cross-contamination," Coutts said.
Moroz said the idea for Recycling Plus came from Beer Store employees.
Although the pilot has just launched, he said the Beer Store is already looking for places to expand.
"Downtown Toronto would be an ideal place to be, and we are working on getting real estate in that area," he said.
