WHAT IS A BEVERAGE?

The Nova Scotia Solid Waste-Resource Management Regulations state that: "A 'beverage' is any liquid that is a ready-to-serve drink, but does not include milk, milk products, soya milk or concentrates." (Section 102, Environment Act, February 6, 1996)

On January 1, 2006, RRFB Nova Scotia brought in a policy, which clarifies the products that are exempt from the Deposit-Refund Program based on the following definitions of milk, milk products, soya beverages and concentrates:

• "Milk" and "milk products" shall mean any non-reconstituted product that identifies animal milk as the first or only ingredient.
• "Milk" and "milk products" under the Nova Scotia Dairy Industry Act include: whole, partly skimmed or skimmed milk; whole or partly skimmed chocolate or flavoured milk; light cream; blend; coffee cream; whipping cream; eggnog; buttermilk; concentrated milk; and include yogurt drinks and milk shakes.
• "Soya milk" shall mean a product that identifies soybeans as the primary or secondary ingredient.
• "Concentrates" shall mean any product that requires one or more additives to transform it into a ready-to-serve drink.

Effective November 1, 2006, all rice beverages and certain meal replacement beverages became exempt from the Deposit-Refund Program. All rice beverages are exempt including popular brands like:

• Pacific Rice
• Natura Rice Milk
• Rice Dream
• Ricesense
• Eden Blend Rice & Soy
• Organic YU Basmati Rice

Meal replacements now exempt from the Deposit-Refund Program include:

• Boost
• Ensure
• Equate
• Life Replenish
• President's Choice Nutri-Total
• President's Choice Ultra Shake
• Rexall
• Truly Health
• Truly Health Nutritional Shake
• WellQuest

What is a Beverage Container?

The Nova Scotia Solid Waste-Resource Management Regulations state that: "A 'beverage container' means a container of less than 5 litres, which contains or has contained a beverage and was sealed by the manufacturer after the beverage was placed in it" (Section 102, Environment Act, February 6, 1996).

All non-alcoholic beverages in containers five litres or greater in size and "return for refund" labeled beverage containers purchased outside of Nova Scotia are excluded from the Beverage Container Deposit-Refund Program.