Encorp testing 'express service' at redemption centres

The company in charge of beverage container redemption in New Brunswick is introducing an "expressservice" that will allow people using special bags for their containers to jump the line and get a quick cash payout.

The express service is being implemented at four redemption centres in theFredericton and Shediac regions.

Up to 3,000 participants at each of the four centres will receive special express service bags that are designed to hold 40 cans orother containers toequala $2 cash payment.

Because of the pre-determined cash value, customers who place their containers in the special bags will be given priority service when they drop the fulls bags off at one of the four participating centres. They will be "skipping the line" for a quick cash payout on the spot, said Encorp Atlantic Inc. in a news release.

"We think that implementing such a concept only helps to make recycling easier for the public. The easier and more convenient it is for customers to recycle, the more containers they will bring and the more frequently they will visit redemption centres."

The four participating redemption centres are:

• Northside Redemption Centre, 213 MacFarlane Street, Fredericton.
• Southside Redemption Centre, 70 Timothy Avenue, Hanwell
• Oromocto Redemption Centre, 16 Lewis Street, Oromocto
• Shediac Redeem Centre, 610 Main Street, Shediac.

Through the pilot project, Encorp hopes to adapt and perfect the express service before making it available to other redemption centres in the province in the near future.

Encorpreception centres handle more than 160 million non-alcoholic beverage containers annually. Since 1992, more than 3.2 billion containers have been recycled through Encorp.