Beverage Containers Act (S.N.B. 1991, c. B-2.2).

This Act consists of 26 sections, divided into Titles and sub-titles. It aims to reduce landfill waste and litter left on roads and in waterways, and establishes beverage container standards, recycling and Redemption Centres. It includes a deposit/refund system for soft drink, juice and alcohol containers; uniform labelling, size and type specifications (sects. 4.1 and 5) and General Regulation (99-66); registration procedures and rules of operation for Redemption Centres (sects. 13 and 17); and distributors' responsibilities (sects. 2-5; 10-15 and 17).
The Minister of the Environment and Local Government ("Minister") or an appointed agent administers the Act. A "Beverage" is any liquid for human consumption by drinking (sects. 1 and 23). A "container" holds five litres or less and is delivered sealed to a retailer or food service (sect. 1). Only containers explicitly approved (sect. 4.1 and listed in the Act's General Regulation (99-66) are allowed. New beverage containers can be approved if a distributor submits a written plan (sects. 4 and 5).
Plastic rings connecting beverage containers and detachable, rigid metal pull-tabs are prohibited (sects. 8 and 9). Beverage container redemption centres are allowed only with licensing, permits or authorization (sect. 13). Operators shall keep records and reports, subject to inspection (sects. 13.7 and 17.8. An "environmental fee" is the difference between the deposit and the refund on the recyclable beverage container (sec.18.1 and 18.2). If not used administratively, the fees revert to a special fund, the Environmental Trust Fund (sects. 18.3) and 19). Inspectors' powers are outlined (sect. 20), as are offences under the Act (sect. 21.2 and 21.3 and Schedule A, Column I) and their categorization under the Provincial Offences Procedure Act (sect. 21.3 and Schedule A, Column II).