Understanding Encorp Pacific’s Role in British Columbia

Encorp Pacific is the federally incorporated, not-for-profit stewardship agency responsible for managing the return and recycling of beverage containers in British Columbia. Best known to the public under the Return-It brand, Encorp operates under a stewardship plan approved by the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy, ensuring compliance with provincial Extended Producer Responsibility legislation.

Encorp Pacific oversees British Columbia's Container Deposit System (CDS) that includes over 170 Return-It depots, retail locations, and reverse vending machines across the province. The organization works in partnership with beverage producers, retailers, and other stewardship agencies to enable a circular economy. This highly coordinated system benefits from tools such as mobile collections, return site management, and digital refund systems that make recycling convenient and accessible for British Columbians.

Industry Stewardship and Compliance

Operating within the framework of BC’s Recycling Regulation, Encorp Pacific submits a stewardship plan that outlines its goals, performance metrics, and public awareness strategies. The organization is required to report annually on collection volumes, recycling rates, and material destinations, demonstrating its commitment to accountability and transparency.

Encorp manages a province-wide logistics network that includes transportation, processing, and data tracking of millions of containers. This infrastructure supports technologies such as fraud detection systems, real-time operational monitoring, and analytics dashboards to ensure regulatory compliance and optimize system performance. Collaboration with industry peers like the BC Brewers’ Recycled Container Collection Council further enhances operational efficiency and system-wide integrity.

Governance and Environmental Impact

Encorp’s governance model includes a Board of Directors drawn from beverage producers and industry experts. The organization invests in education campaigns, infrastructure improvements, and innovative return models like Express Return-It stations and contactless drop-off to encourage high participation rates.

In support of CleanBC’s environmental objectives, Encorp Pacific promotes consumer engagement, material diversion, and emissions reduction through data-driven strategies. As one of Canada’s most recognized CDS operators, it plays a key role in advancing the province’s zero-waste goals and circular economy framework.