It has left many Manitobans scratching their heads. They thought that the 2-cent levy on beverage containers was supposed to disappear from cash register receipts in the province after March 31. But many consumers are finding the charges still listed on their bills.

In RCM's understanding, this is not how Manitoba's new 'extended producer responsibility' program was supposed to work. There were to be no visible, non-refundable levies on beverage containers under the new approach. Manitoba's Conservation Minister said as much in correspondence with RCM in December 2008 and in a letter to industry stewards on January 12, 2009.

Now a new organization of brand owners - the Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association - has popped up and announced it is going to keep charging customers the levy. What gives?

RCM has asked the current Minister of Conservation for clarification.

Letter to Mr. Blaikie

Resource Conservation Manitoba is a non-profit environmental group with a longstanding interest in waste reduction.

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