An industry association that manages the collection and recycling of beer containers throughout British Columbia.
British Columbia
Understanding BC Brewers’ Recycled Container Collection Council’s Role in British Columbia
The BC Brewers’ Recycled Container Collection Council (BRCCC) is an industry stewardship group representing breweries in British Columbia. It operates a specialized container collection system for refillable and non-refillable beer containers, working in alignment with provincial recycling legislation and industry Extended Producer Responsibility obligations.
BRCCC functions independently from-but cooperatively with Encorp Pacific (Return-It) to ensure beer containers are collected, processed, and either refilled or recycled responsibly. Its operations are structured to comply with regulatory guidance from the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy, while aligning with CleanBC’s broader sustainability goals. Through participation in British Columbia’s Container Deposit System (CDS), the Council helps promote a circular economy for the province’s beverage industry.
Industry Stewardship and Compliance
BRCCC’s stewardship plan outlines how refillable glass bottles and recyclable aluminum cans from breweries are managed across British Columbia. The Council maintains direct relationships with manufacturers, retail partners, and depots to ensure timely container returns and proper material handling. By operating within BC’s regulatory framework, BRCCC fulfills its compliance responsibilities under the province’s Recycling Regulation.
Its operations are supported by tools such as logistics data platforms, reverse logistics integrations, and container-level tracking, which help ensure accurate returns, fraud prevention, and system transparency. These efforts align with the government’s focus on performance-based reporting, material diversion, and industry accountability.
Governance and Environmental Impact
Governed by a board of brewery representatives, the BC Brewers’ Council reinvests in infrastructure, logistics improvements, and environmental outreach. Its refillable container program significantly reduces lifecycle carbon emissions and supports closed-loop reuse models-a key strategy in BC’s push toward a zero-waste future.
In collaboration with industry and government partners, BRCCC continues to expand its capabilities in return site management, data analysis, and public education. These initiatives help breweries meet both compliance standards and environmental benchmarks while reinforcing the value of reuse over single-use.