British Columbia vs Nova Scotia EPR: Rules Compared
Last verified
British Columbia and Nova Scotia both run packaging EPR, but the rules differ. Both set the lowest revenue exemption at CA$1,000,000. Both set the lowest weight exemption at 1 tonne. Nova Scotia asks for its first annual report earlier, on April 30 against May 31 in British Columbia.
British Columbia and Nova Scotia side by side
5 of 9 rows have a verified figure on each side of British Columbia and Nova Scotia; a cell reads “not yet published” when a side has none, and an exemption row reads “none recorded; see thresholds” when no exemption is on record.
| Measure | British Columbia | Nova Scotia | Stricter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration duty | Required | not yet published | Not comparable |
| Producer organisation | one producer responsibility organisation | one producer responsibility organisation | Not comparable |
| Lowest revenue exemption | CA$1,000,000 | CA$1,000,000 | Same |
| Lowest weight exemption | 1 tonne | 1 tonne | Same |
| First annual report date | May 31 | April 30 | Nova Scotia |
| Published penalties | 1 published | not yet published | Not comparable |
| Report file | csv | csv | Not comparable |
| Paper fee, cheapest matched rate | 81 cents per kilogram | 75 cents per kilogram | British Columbia |
| Plastic fee, cheapest matched rate | 174 cents per kilogram | 217 cents per kilogram | Nova Scotia |
The lowest revenue exemption is the same on both sides: CA$1,000,000. A seller just under that line is out of scope in British Columbia and in Nova Scotia alike.
The lowest weight exemption is the same on both sides: 1 tonne of packaging.
The earliest annual report date is May 31 in British Columbia and April 30 in Nova Scotia, 31 days apart. Nova Scotia leaves less time to prepare, so its data has to be ready first.
Across 5 shared material classes, Nova Scotia publishes the higher cheapest per-kilogram fee in 3, and British Columbia in 2. A higher fee is not the same as a stricter rule; it is simply a larger published number per kilogram.
Who runs the programme in British Columbia and Nova Scotia
Who collects and who the producer files with, in British Columbia and then Nova Scotia.
| Aspect | British Columbia | Nova Scotia |
|---|---|---|
| Regime | Recycling Regulation, B.C. Reg. 449/2004 (packaging and paper product category) | Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, Part IX (packaging and paper EPR regulations) |
| Regulator | not yet published | Resource Recovery Fund Board (Divert NS), as Administrator |
| Producers obligated | Yes | Yes |
| Registration | Required, Recycle BC membership, registered through the WeRecycle Portal | not yet published |
| Producer organisation | one producer responsibility organisation: Recycle BC; membership required | one producer responsibility organisation: Circular Materials; membership optional |
| Transfer of responsibility | Allowed | Allowed |
| Revenue counted as | gross revenue inside the jurisdiction, CAD, most recent calendar year | gross revenue inside the jurisdiction, CAD, year |
| Who counts as the producer | other: manufacturer or brand owner, brand licensee, importer; primary: manufacturer or brand owner, brand licensee, importer; secondary: manufacturer or brand owner, brand licensee, importer; service: manufacturer or brand owner, brand licensee, importer; shipping: manufacturer or brand owner, brand licensee, importer; tertiary: manufacturer or brand owner, brand licensee, importer | primary: brand owner, importer, seller; secondary: brand owner, importer, seller; tertiary: brand owner, importer, seller |
Both programmes organise producer responsibility the same way: one producer responsibility organisation. The practical differences between British Columbia and Nova Scotia therefore sit in thresholds, fees, dates and report formats rather than in whom a producer deals with.
What British Columbia and Nova Scotia cover, side by side
Each row below is one published feature of the two programmes; a cell reads “not yet published” when British Columbia or Nova Scotia has no verified entry for it in the dataset.
| Aspect | British Columbia | Nova Scotia |
|---|---|---|
| Materials covered | paper, plastic, metal, glass, printed paper, packaging | paper, plastic, metal, glass, printed paper, packaging |
| Product classes covered | packaging, paper products | packaging, paper products |
| Excluded from scope | liquor containers handled separately, small producers | small producers |
| Sales channels addressed | retail, online, distance sale | retail, online, distance sale |
| Producer duty: primary packaging | manufacturer_brand_owner; licensee; importer | brand_owner; importer; seller |
| Producer duty: secondary packaging | manufacturer_brand_owner; licensee; importer | brand_owner; importer; seller |
| Producer duty: tertiary packaging | manufacturer_brand_owner; licensee; importer | brand_owner; importer; seller |
| Producer duty: shipping packaging | manufacturer_brand_owner; licensee; importer | not yet published |
| Producer duty: service packaging | manufacturer_brand_owner; licensee; importer | not yet published |
| Producer duty: other packaging | manufacturer_brand_owner; licensee; importer | not yet published |
| Reporting categories | 23, material category | 33, material category |
| Exemption 1 | Businesses with less than $1 million in annual revenues in BC, or that supply less than 1,000 kg (one tonne) of packaging and paper product to BC residents | Small producers and societies (except educational) are exempt |
| Exemption 2 | Businesses that operate as a single point of retail sale and are not supplied or operated as part of a franchise, a chain or under a banner | not yet published |
| Exemption 3 | Businesses that are a registered charity | not yet published |
| Exemption 4 | Recycle BC FAQ states non-resident direct shippers are not obligated (they may elect to become voluntary producers) | not yet published |
Thresholds and exemptions in British Columbia and Nova Scotia
Every verified threshold British Columbia and Nova Scotia publish, as each states it.
| Place | Measure | Amount | Effect | Basis as published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | revenue | CA$1,000,000 | exempt below | gross revenue in BC, most recent calendar year |
| British Columbia | packaging tonnage | 1 tonne | exempt below | packaging and paper produced in the most recent calendar year |
| British Columbia | packaging weight | 15,000 kg | flat-fee band | packaging and paper supplied to BC residents in a year (flat-fee bands 1,000-2,499; 2,500-4,999; 5,000-9,999; 10,000-15,000 kg) |
| Nova Scotia | revenue | CA$1,000,000 | exempt below | gross Nova Scotia revenue |
| Nova Scotia | packaging tonnage | 1 tonne | exempt below | designated material supplied in the Province |
British Columbia exemption: Businesses with less than $1 million in annual revenues in BC, or that supply less than 1,000 kg (one tonne) of packaging and paper product to BC residents It does not have to be applied for.
British Columbia exemption: Businesses that operate as a single point of retail sale and are not supplied or operated as part of a franchise, a chain or under a banner It does not have to be applied for.
British Columbia exemption: Businesses that are a registered charity It does not have to be applied for.
British Columbia exemption: Recycle BC FAQ states non-resident direct shippers are not obligated (they may elect to become voluntary producers) It does not have to be applied for.
Nova Scotia exemption: Small producers and societies (except educational) are exempt It does not have to be applied for.
Read the basis column first: the same amount can exempt a producer in one programme and only simplify its report in another.
The lowest revenue exemption is the same on both sides: CA$1,000,000. A seller just under that line is out of scope in British Columbia and in Nova Scotia alike.
The lowest weight exemption is the same on both sides: 1 tonne of packaging.
Fees per kilogram for shared materials
5 material classes have a published rate on both sides; each row shows the cheapest rate that fits the class.
| Material class | British Columbia (CAD per kg) | Nova Scotia (CAD per kg) | Higher fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| paper and board | 81 cents per kilogram | 75 cents per kilogram | British Columbia |
| plastic | 174 cents per kilogram | 217 cents per kilogram | Nova Scotia |
| glass | 61 cents per kilogram | 53 cents per kilogram | British Columbia |
| aluminium | 35 cents per kilogram | 100 cents per kilogram | Nova Scotia |
| steel | 71 cents per kilogram | 90 cents per kilogram | Nova Scotia |
Scaling the cheapest published rate by weight shows what the gap between British Columbia and Nova Scotia amounts to for a given tonnage of one material. The amounts are the rate times the weight, nothing added.
| Material class | Kilograms | British Columbia fee (CAD) | Nova Scotia fee (CAD) | Nova Scotia minus British Columbia (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| paper and board | 1 | CA$0.81 | CA$0.75 | -CA$0.06 |
| paper and board | 10 | CA$8.10 | CA$7.50 | -CA$0.60 |
| paper and board | 100 | CA$81.00 | CA$75.00 | -CA$6.00 |
| paper and board | 1,000 | CA$810.00 | CA$750.00 | -CA$60.00 |
| paper and board | 10,000 | CA$8,100.00 | CA$7,500.00 | -CA$600.00 |
| paper and board | 100,000 | CA$81,000.00 | CA$75,000.00 | -CA$6,000.00 |
| plastic | 1 | CA$1.74 | CA$2.17 | +CA$0.43 |
| plastic | 10 | CA$17.40 | CA$21.70 | +CA$4.30 |
| plastic | 100 | CA$174.00 | CA$217.00 | +CA$43.00 |
| plastic | 1,000 | CA$1,740.00 | CA$2,170.00 | +CA$430.00 |
| plastic | 10,000 | CA$17,400.00 | CA$21,700.00 | +CA$4,300.00 |
| plastic | 100,000 | CA$174,000.00 | CA$217,000.00 | +CA$43,000.00 |
| glass | 1 | CA$0.61 | CA$0.53 | -CA$0.08 |
| glass | 10 | CA$6.10 | CA$5.30 | -CA$0.80 |
| glass | 100 | CA$61.00 | CA$53.00 | -CA$8.00 |
| glass | 1,000 | CA$610.00 | CA$530.00 | -CA$80.00 |
| glass | 10,000 | CA$6,100.00 | CA$5,300.00 | -CA$800.00 |
| glass | 100,000 | CA$61,000.00 | CA$53,000.00 | -CA$8,000.00 |
| aluminium | 1 | CA$0.35 | CA$1.00 | +CA$0.65 |
| aluminium | 10 | CA$3.50 | CA$10.00 | +CA$6.50 |
| aluminium | 100 | CA$35.00 | CA$100.00 | +CA$65.00 |
| aluminium | 1,000 | CA$350.00 | CA$1,000.00 | +CA$650.00 |
| aluminium | 10,000 | CA$3,500.00 | CA$10,000.00 | +CA$6,500.00 |
| aluminium | 100,000 | CA$35,000.00 | CA$100,000.00 | +CA$65,000.00 |
| steel | 1 | CA$0.71 | CA$0.90 | +CA$0.19 |
| steel | 10 | CA$7.10 | CA$9.00 | +CA$1.90 |
| steel | 100 | CA$71.00 | CA$90.00 | +CA$19.00 |
| steel | 1,000 | CA$710.00 | CA$900.00 | +CA$190.00 |
| steel | 10,000 | CA$7,100.00 | CA$9,000.00 | +CA$1,900.00 |
| steel | 100,000 | CA$71,000.00 | CA$90,000.00 | +CA$19,000.00 |
Both schedules are in CAD, so the figures compare directly.
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.
British Columbia: the 2027 fee schedule of Recycle BC, effective January 1, 2027, is the source of the per-kilogram rates used on this page.
British Columbia 2027: the category “Kraft Paper” is published at 81 cents per kilogram.
British Columbia 2027: the category “Plastic Film” is published at 174 cents per kilogram.
British Columbia 2027: the category “Clear Glass” is published at 61 cents per kilogram.
British Columbia 2027: the category “Aluminum Food & Other Containers” is published at 35 cents per kilogram.
British Columbia 2027: the category “Other Steel Packaging including Paint Cans” is published at 71 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging” is published at 75 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “LDPE/HDPE Film” is published at 217 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “Clear Glass” is published at 53 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “Aluminum Food Containers” is published at 100 cents per kilogram.
Nova Scotia 2027: the category “Other Steel Containers and Packaging” is published at 90 cents per kilogram.
Real packs usually land in a dearer category, so use the calculator for British Columbia and Nova Scotia.
Deadlines in British Columbia and Nova Scotia
Each verified date, with the period it covers when one is given.
| Place | Kind | Date | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | report | May 31 | the previous calendar year |
| British Columbia | payment | January 31 | each quarter |
| Nova Scotia | report | May 31 | calendar year before the year the report is due (s 29(4)) |
| Nova Scotia | report | April 30, 2030 | the 4 immediately preceding years |
| Nova Scotia | payment | October 1, 2026 | 2026 Divert NS EPR oversight fees |
| Nova Scotia | registration | January 1, 2024 | not yet published |
The earliest annual report date is May 31 in British Columbia and April 30 in Nova Scotia, 31 days apart. Nova Scotia leaves less time to prepare, so its data has to be ready first.
Penalties in British Columbia and Nova Scotia
What each side has published; a side without an amount says so.
British Columbia penalty for Offence under the Recycling Regulation: up to CA$200,000 per offence.
Report formats in British Columbia and Nova Scotia
How the report file for British Columbia compares with the one for Nova Scotia.
| Aspect | British Columbia | Nova Scotia |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Recycle BC annual supply report Fee-year categories, reviewed 2026-09-29 | Nova Scotia producer annual report Fee-year categories, reviewed 2026-09-29 |
| Recipient | Recycle BC | Resource Recovery Fund Board (Divert NS) / Circular Materials |
| How it is submitted | Recycle BC steward portal | WeRecycle Portal |
| File type | csv | csv |
| Encoding | utf-8 | utf-8 |
| Delimiter | , | , |
| Decimal separator | . | |
| Columns | 4 | 4 |
| Required columns | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 |
| Weight unit | kg | kg |
| Period basis | calendar year | calendar year |
The two layouts share a file type and a delimiter, but each programme names its own columns and categories, so one file cannot be sent to both programmes. Each report is built from the same underlying measurements and exported separately.
Which to plan for first, British Columbia or Nova Scotia
Plan around the earlier report date first. Nova Scotia asks for its first annual report on April 30, before British Columbia, so its data has to be ready first.
Questions about comparing these two programmes
Is British Columbia or Nova Scotia stricter on packaging EPR?
Both set the lowest revenue exemption at CA$1,000,000. Both set the lowest weight exemption at 1 tonne. Nova Scotia asks for its first annual report earlier, on April 30 against May 31 in British Columbia. Nova Scotia publishes the higher per-kilogram fee in 3 of 5 shared material classes.
Do I register in both British Columbia and Nova Scotia?
British Columbia requires producers to register. Nova Scotia has not yet published its registration duty.
How do the fees per kilogram compare in British Columbia and Nova Scotia?
Across 5 shared material classes, Nova Scotia publishes the higher cheapest per-kilogram fee in 3, and British Columbia in 2. A higher fee is not the same as a stricter rule; it is simply a larger published number per kilogram.
Which deadline comes first, British Columbia or Nova Scotia?
The earliest annual report date is May 31 in British Columbia and April 30 in Nova Scotia, 31 days apart. Nova Scotia leaves less time to prepare, so its data has to be ready first.
How these figures are made
Sources
- bclaws.gov.bc.ca: 449 2004 retrieved
Original wording: commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding $200 000.
Original wording: if the producer is operating under a franchise agreement, the producer, the franchisor and the other parties with whom the franchisor h
Original wording: gross revenue in the most recent calendar year of less than $1 000 000 in British Columbia
Original wording: if subparagraph (i) does not apply, a person who is not the manufacturer of the product but is the owner or licensee of a trademark
Original wording: the producer had a gross revenue in the most recent calendar year of less than $1 000 000 in British Columbia;
Original wording: the producer produced in the most recent calendar year less than one tonne of products within the packaging and paper product category
Original wording: a person sells the product or offers the product for sale by any means, including
- recyclebc.ca: producer faqs retrieved
Original wording: To become a member of the Recycle BC program please visit the WeRecycle Portal and follow the steps to register as a new producer.
Original wording: Recycle BC is the only organization that businesses can join in order to fulfill the requirements of Schedule 5 of the BC Recycling Regulation
Original wording: Companies that do not have residency in BC but ship products directly to BC residents are not obligated under the BC Recycling Regulation
- recyclebc.ca: small business low volume retrieved
Original wording: Eligible stewards supplying 1,000 to 15,000 kg of PPP annually have the option to file simplified report
Original wording: Businesses that have less than $1 million in annual revenues in BC;
Original wording: operate as a single point of retail sale and are not supplied or operated as part of a franchise, a chain or under a banner
Original wording: Are a registered charity.
- recyclebc.ca: fee schedule retrieved
Original wording: Producers are required to file their reports by May 31 each year, and fees are paid quarterly as follows
Original wording: Newsprint 76
- novascotia.ca: envpppextproducer retrieved
Original wording: For the purposes of these regulations, the implementation date is December 1, 2025.
Original wording: the Resource Recovery Fund Board established under Section 98 of the Act
Original wording: A producer may designate a producer responsibility organization to operate on its
Original wording: the producer for the purposes of
Original wording: “small producer” means
Original wording: the brand holder of the designated material, if the brand holder is a resident
Original wording: “small producer” means (i) a producer whose gross annual revenue in the Province is less than $1 000 000
Original wording: a producer who supplies less than 1 tonne of designated material in
Original wording: a small producer.
Original wording: On or before May 31 in each year beginning in 2027, a producer of designated material supplied to consumers in the Province must submit
Original wording: On or before April 30, 2030, and every 4th year afterward, a producer must have its practices and procedures respecting Part V
Original wording: but no later than January 1, 2024, every producer must register in the form and manner required by the Administrator.
- divertns.ca: epr oversight fees retrieved
Original wording: Producers will receive an email on October 1, 2026, advising that EPR Oversight Invoices are available in the EPR Portal.
- circularmaterials.ca: Circular Materials Report to Producers 2025 retrieved
Original wording: Newspapers 82
- recyclebc.ca: Recycle BC 2027 Fee Schedule retrieved
Original wording: RECYCLE BC FEE SCHEDULE (CENTS/KG)
Original wording: Kraft Paper * 81.00 77.00 5.2%
Original wording: Plastic Film 174.00 184.00 -5.4%
Original wording: GLASS Clear Glass 61.00 58.00 5.2%
Original wording: ALUMINUM Aluminum Food & Other Containers 35.00 48.00 -27.1%
Original wording: STEEL Other Steel Packaging including Paint cans ** 71.00 68.00 4.4%
- knowledge.werecycle.ca: Report to Producers 2026 OCT15 retrieved
Original wording: Circular Materials in Nova Scotia Fee Schedule (Cents/Kg)
Original wording: Boxboard and Other Paper Packaging 75 74 1.4%
Original wording: LDPE/HDPE Film 217 212 2.4%
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%
The free plan is enough to start. We estimate and prepare; you sign and submit.