Bottles packaging EPR Nova Scotia: what a plastic bottle costs per 1,000 packs, 2027
Last verified
In Nova Scotia, 1,000 plastic bottles of the Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) size (24 g) carry an estimated packaging fee of CA$32.82 to CA$34.08 on the 2027 schedule. The range comes from the published rates that fit each part of the pack. Instica estimates it; you confirm the weights, then sign and submit.
What this page estimates for a plastic bottle in Nova Scotia
The plastic bottle on this page is a clear PET bottle closed with a plastic screw cap. It has 2 components, each matched to the published rates of the 2027 schedule of Circular Materials Nova Scotia for Nova Scotia; weight times rate gives a fee per 1,000 packs in CAD. The figures are estimates built on starting weights.
What is in a plastic bottle
The bottle has two components: the PET body and the plastic cap. A label or shrink sleeve is not weighed in the starting estimate.
Starting weights, an Instica estimate for a typical pack and not a measured weight: bottle (PET plastic, 22 g) and cap (plastic, 2 g).
- Bottle
- PET plastic, 22 g (Instica starting estimate)
- Cap
- plastic, 2 g (Instica starting estimate)
Worked example: 1,000 plastic bottles in Nova Scotia
One plastic bottle of the Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) size weighs 24 g in total. For each component the table gives its weight, the matched published rates, and the fee for 1,000 packs.
| Component | Weight each | Matched published rate | Fee per 1,000 packs | Fee per pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottle | 22 g | PET Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres to PET Containers, Jars and Jugs >= 5 Litres | CA$31.24 | CA$0.0312 |
| Cap | 2 g | HDPE Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres to PET Thermoform Containers < 5 Litres | CA$1.58 to CA$2.84 | CA$0.0016 to CA$0.0028 |
Nova Scotia: 1,000 plastic bottles of the Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) size are estimated at CA$32.82 to CA$34.08 in packaging fees.
Added together, the estimate for 1,000 packs is CA$32.82 to CA$34.08.
Divide by 1,000 for a single pack: about CA$0.0328 to CA$0.0341.
What the fee tool returns for 1,000 plastic bottles in Nova Scotia
Entered into the public fee tool for Nova Scotia (2027 schedule, effective January 1, 2027), 1,000 plastic bottles give the figures below. The tool is the same engine that prices a report, so this page and the tool agree.
| Component | Category at the lowest rate | Weight | Fee | Category at the highest rate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottle | PET Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres | 22 g | CA$31.24 | PET Containers, Jars and Jugs >= 5 Litres | CA$31.24 |
| Cap | HDPE Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres | 2 g | CA$1.58 | PET Thermoform Containers < 5 Litres | CA$2.84 |
Nova Scotia: the fee tool returns CA$32.82 at the lowest matched rates and CA$34.08 at the highest for 1,000 plastic bottles of the Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) size (24 g each).
The tool total is CA$32.82 at the lowest matched rates and CA$34.08 at the highest.
| Size | Weight each | Total, lowest rates | Total, highest rates | Per pack, lowest | Per pack, highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (about 12 oz) | 17 g | CA$22.88 | CA$24.14 | CA$0.0229 | CA$0.0241 |
| Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) | 24 g | CA$32.82 | CA$34.08 | CA$0.0328 | CA$0.0341 |
| Large (about 1 L) | 38 g | CA$52.07 | CA$53.96 | CA$0.0521 | CA$0.054 |
Which published rates were matched in Nova Scotia
4 published rates were matched to the pack in Nova Scotia from the 2027 schedule. Each is quoted from the programme’s own fee table; the page does not change the rate or round it.
Bottle, 22 g: 2 matched rates
| Category | Published rate | Per kilogram | Fee per 1,000 packs | Fee per pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres | 142 cents per kilogram | CA$1.42 | CA$31.24 | CA$0.0312 |
| PET Containers, Jars and Jugs >= 5 Litres | 142 cents per kilogram | CA$1.42 | CA$31.24 | CA$0.0312 |
Cap, 2 g: 7 matched rates
| Category | Published rate | Per kilogram | Fee per 1,000 packs | Fee per pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDPE Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres | 79 cents per kilogram | CA$0.79 | CA$1.58 | CA$0.0016 |
| HDPE Containers, Jars and Jugs >= 5 Litres | 79 cents per kilogram | CA$0.79 | CA$1.58 | CA$0.0016 |
| Other Plastic Packaging (not listed Above) < 5 Litres | 121 cents per kilogram | CA$1.21 | CA$2.42 | CA$0.0024 |
| Other Plastic Packaging (not listed Above) >= 5 Litres | 121 cents per kilogram | CA$1.21 | CA$2.42 | CA$0.0024 |
| PET Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres | 142 cents per kilogram | CA$1.42 | CA$2.84 | CA$0.0028 |
| PET Containers, Jars and Jugs >= 5 Litres | 142 cents per kilogram | CA$1.42 | CA$2.84 | CA$0.0028 |
| PET Thermoform Containers < 5 Litres | 142 cents per kilogram | CA$1.42 | CA$2.84 | CA$0.0028 |
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “PET Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres” is published at 142 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “HDPE Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres” is published at 79 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “Other Plastic Packaging (not listed Above) < 5 Litres” is published at 121 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “PET Thermoform Containers < 5 Litres” is published at 142 cents per kilogram.
How size changes the fee for a plastic bottle
The weight of a plastic bottle depends on its size. The table prices each of the 3 sizes with the same matched rates, so the only thing that changes between rows is the weight.
| Size | Weight each | Fee per 1,000 packs, lowest rates | Fee per 1,000 packs, highest rates | Per pack, lowest | Per pack, highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (about 12 oz) | 17 g | CA$22.88 | CA$24.14 | CA$0.0229 | CA$0.0241 |
| Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) | 24 g | CA$32.82 | CA$34.08 | CA$0.0328 | CA$0.0341 |
| Large (about 1 L) | 38 g | CA$52.07 | CA$53.96 | CA$0.0521 | CA$0.054 |
Each component of the plastic bottle priced at every size, at the matched rates for Nova Scotia.
| Component | Small (about 12 oz) | Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) | Large (about 1 L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottle | 15 g: CA$21.30 | 22 g: CA$31.24 | 35 g: CA$49.70 |
| Cap | 2 g: CA$1.58 to CA$2.84 | 2 g: CA$1.58 to CA$2.84 | 3 g: CA$2.37 to CA$4.26 |
What if the plastic bottle used another material?
Suppose the main component of the plastic bottle, weighing 22 g, were made of another material. The table prices the same weight in each material class that Nova Scotia publishes a rate for, at the lowest published rate in that class.
| Material | Lowest published rate | Fee per 1,000 packs at that rate | Highest published rate | Fee per 1,000 packs at that rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| paper and board | 75 cents per kilogram | CA$16.50 | 75 cents per kilogram | CA$16.50 |
| plastic | 142 cents per kilogram | CA$31.24 | 142 cents per kilogram | CA$31.24 |
| glass | 53 cents per kilogram | CA$11.66 | 53 cents per kilogram | CA$11.66 |
| aluminium | 100 cents per kilogram | CA$22.00 | 100 cents per kilogram | CA$22.00 |
| steel | 90 cents per kilogram | CA$19.80 | 90 cents per kilogram | CA$19.80 |
| Material | Category | Published rate | Fee per 1,000 packs | Fee per pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| paper and board | Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging | 75 cents per kilogram | CA$16.50 | CA$0.0165 |
| paper and board | Kraft Paper Carry-Out Bags | 75 cents per kilogram | CA$16.50 | CA$0.0165 |
| glass | Clear Glass | 53 cents per kilogram | CA$11.66 | CA$0.0117 |
| glass | Coloured Glass | 53 cents per kilogram | CA$11.66 | CA$0.0117 |
| aluminium | Aluminum Food Containers | 100 cents per kilogram | CA$22.00 | CA$0.022 |
| steel | Other Steel Containers and Packaging | 90 cents per kilogram | CA$19.80 | CA$0.0198 |
A fee comparison only: another material changes weight and protection too.
What a larger run of plastic bottles costs in Nova Scotia
Fees scale with the number of packs, because the schedule charges by mass. The table repeats the worked example for larger runs of the Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) plastic bottle in Nova Scotia. Nothing else changes between rows: the same weights and the same matched rates apply.
| Packs | Total weight | Fee at the lowest rates | Fee at the highest rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2.4 kg | CA$3.28 | CA$3.41 |
| 500 | 12 kg | CA$16.41 | CA$17.04 |
| 1,000 | 24 kg | CA$32.82 | CA$34.08 |
| 5,000 | 120 kg | CA$164.10 | CA$170.40 |
| 10,000 | 240 kg | CA$328.20 | CA$340.80 |
| 50,000 | 1,200 kg | CA$1,641.00 | CA$1,704.00 |
| 100,000 | 2,400 kg | CA$3,282.00 | CA$3,408.00 |
| 500,000 | 12,000 kg | CA$16,410.00 | CA$17,040.00 |
| 1,000,000 | 24,000 kg | CA$32,820.00 | CA$34,080.00 |
Nova Scotia: a single plastic bottle is estimated at CA$0.0328 to CA$0.0341 in packaging fees.
Nova Scotia: across all its components, a plastic bottle is priced at CA$1.3675 to CA$1.42 per kilogram of packaging.
Taken as a whole, the pack is priced at CA$1.3675 to CA$1.42 per kilogram of packaging, so a heavier pack costs more in proportion to its weight.
Flat fee bands, registration fees and minimum charges sit outside this per-kilogram table.
How the fee for plastic bottles has moved on Nova Scotia schedules
Nova Scotia has published 2 per-mass fee schedules that price this pack. The same Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) plastic bottles are priced on each below, with the same weights and the same matching rules, so only the published rates differ.
| Schedule | Effective from | Fee per 1,000 packs, lowest rates | Fee per 1,000 packs, highest rates | Per pack | Change in the lowest fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | January 1, 2026 | CA$33.14 | CA$34.32 | CA$0.0331 to CA$0.0343 | - |
| 2027 | January 1, 2027 | CA$32.82 | CA$34.08 | CA$0.0328 to CA$0.0341 | -1% |
Nova Scotia: on the 2026 schedule, effective January 1, 2026, 1,000 plastic bottles of the Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) size were priced at CA$33.14 to CA$34.32.
Nova Scotia: on the 2027 schedule, effective January 1, 2027, 1,000 plastic bottles of the Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) size were priced at CA$32.82 to CA$34.08.
The same matched categories on each Nova Scotia schedule, per kilogram; a dash means the schedule does not publish that category.
| Category | 2026 (2026-01) | 2027 (2027-01) |
|---|---|---|
| PET Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres | CA$1.43 | CA$1.42 |
| HDPE Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres | CA$0.84 | CA$0.79 |
| Other Plastic Packaging (not listed Above) < 5 Litres | CA$1.17 | CA$1.21 |
| PET Thermoform Containers < 5 Litres | CA$1.43 | CA$1.42 |
The fee schedule behind these figures for Nova Scotia
The rates come from the 2027 schedule of Circular Materials Nova Scotia for Nova Scotia, effective January 1, 2027. The facts below record where it was published and what else the schedule charges.
Nova Scotia: the 2027 fee schedule of Circular Materials Nova Scotia, effective January 1, 2027, is the source of the per-kilogram rates used on this page.
Ways to lower the fee on a plastic bottle
Bottle weight falls when the wall is thinner, and many programmes publish a lower rate for clear PET than for coloured or opaque PET.
The cap is often a different plastic from the body, and some schedules price caps and lids on a separate line.
A deposit or take-back scheme can take a bottle out of the producer fee schedule altogether, so check whether one covers your drink or product.
Bottles of the same capacity can differ in weight by several grams between suppliers, so weigh your own bottle and cap before relying on a starting estimate.
Questions sellers ask
How much is the EPR fee for a plastic bottle in Nova Scotia?
For 1,000 plastic bottles of the Medium (about 16 to 20 oz) size, the estimated fee is CA$32.82 to CA$34.08 on the 2027 schedule, from the published rates that fit each component.
Is this the amount I will pay?
No. It is an estimate for the packaging alone. Registration fees, flat fee bands, eco-modulation and thresholds sit outside the per-kilogram figure. Instica prepares the data; you check, sign and submit it, and Instica never stores regulator login details.
How these figures are made
Sources
- knowledge.werecycle.ca: Report to Producers 2026 OCT15 retrieved
Original wording: Circular Materials in Nova Scotia Fee Schedule (Cents/Kg)
Original wording: PET Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres 142 143 -0.7%
Original wording: HDPE Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres 79 84 -6.0%
Original wording: Other Plastic Packaging (Not Listed Above) < 5 Litres 121 117 3.4%
Original wording: PET Thermoform Containers < 5 Litres 142 143 -0.7%
Original wording: Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging 75 74 1.4%
Original wording: Clear Glass 53 51 3.9%
Original wording: Aluminum Food Containers 100 104 -3.8%
Original wording: Other Steel Containers and Packaging 90 91 -1.1%
Original wording: Kraft Paper Carry-Out Bags 75 74 1.4%
Original wording: Coloured Glass 53 51 3.9%
- recyclemanitoba.ca: Circular Materials Report to Producers 2025 retrieved
Original wording: PET Containers, Jars and Jugs < 5 Litres 143
The free plan is enough to start. We estimate and prepare; you sign and submit.