TORONTO, ON, April 9, 2024 - The Beer Store's Responsible Stewardship Report Championing Sustainability in Ontario is a celebration of achievements made in 2023 specific to The Beer Store's deposit return system for beer containers and the Ontario Deposit Return Program (ODRP) for containers that include wine and spirit bottles purchased at the LCBO. In 2023, approximately 1.7 billion beverage alcohol containers were collected from Ontario consumers (over 1.2 billion Beer Store containers and over 448 million ODRP containers) and reused or recycled at the highest order to advance a circular economy.  "Since 1927, we have played a key role as a trusted partner in sustainability, working hard with you to be environmental leaders and keep our communities clean," said Roy Benin, President of The Beer Store. "The success of our partnership is proven year after year as we continuously take back more containers than we sell through our container return program and the Ontario Deposit Return Program facilitated through our business on behalf of the province of Ontario."   Over the last 95 years, The Beer Store has contributed to several circular economy milestones: 

• Approximately 1.7 billion alcohol containers are collected annually from Ontario consumers (over 1.2 billion Beer Store containers and over 448 million ODRP containers). 

• Our success is proven year after year as we continuously take back more containers for reuse or recycling than were sold in our system in 2023. This is done through both our container return program and the Ontario Deposit Return Program facilitated through our business on behalf of the province of Ontario. 

• 98% of all refillable beer bottles sold in Ontario were returned – these bottles are reused an average of 15 times before being recycled into new glass bottles. 

• For nearly a century, TBS has not only been a go-to destination for beer sales but also a dedicated partner for brewers and customers to meet their sustainability goals. The Beer Store has a 79% recovery rate on items it sells. 

• 201,689 metric tons of GHG emissions are avoided yearly, equivalent to nearly 48,000 cars off Ontario roads. 

• TBS supports the LLSC through fundraising events throughout the year and an annual bottle drive that has been taking place since 2006. We have proudly raised over $23 million to support the LLSC's important mission. 

To download a copy of The Beer Store Responsible Stewardship report, please visit https://www.thebeerstore.ca/tbs-environmental-report/   

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  mediainquiries@thebeerstore.ca  

 About The Beer Store: Owned by Ontario-based brewers, The Beer Store is the largest beer retailer in Ontario. The Beer Store listed 1,107 brands, which more than 267 brewers provided in 2023. Operating on a self-sustaining break-even cash flow basis, The Beer Store has a completely open system that allows any brewer worldwide to sell its brands in any store they choose, with over half of the brewers listed being small Ontario brewers. The Beer Store is deeply committed to responsible sale and not selling to minors and people who are intoxicated. More than 1.5 million customers were challenged in 2023 alone. It is also one of the greenest retailers in the world, annually collecting for reuse and recycling approximately 1.7 billion beverage alcohol containers, including beer, wine and spirits. The Beer Store employs 6500 hard-working Ontarians with well-paying full- and part-time jobs.   

The Beer Store has updated its images and background information catalogue for media use. When you click on the store images link, you can download a folder of store photos that you can use.  

The link is located here: https://www.thebeerstore.ca/about-us/contact-tbs/store-images/