What is the Quality Monitoring System (QMS)?
The QMS is an online tool that allows Alberta’s beverage container recycling industry to record, track, and efficiently and effectively resolve issues.
Depots can issue a service ticket to the ABCRC, the BCMB, the ABDA or BDL through the QMS. The ticket will outline the issue and ask the depot to provide certain information so that the issue can be assessed and resolved as soon as possible. A record of tickets issued and responses to those issues are retained in the system. Topics that should be posted on QMS include temporary depot closures, changes in hours of operations, shipping issues with ABCRC and BDL, Audit Summary Reports (ASRs), and audit challenges. For more detail, please refer to the QMS user guide.
I forgot my QMS password. Who can help?
Please contact the BCMB Compliance team at compliance@bcmb.ab.ca for assistance.
What is an industry email account?
The BCMB issues an industry email account to each depot using Gmail. All industry communications are sent only to this email. You are responsible for monitoring this email on a regular basis to ensure you are not missing important communications from the industry. Industry communications sent by a depot should only be sent from this email address.
Why am I required to use an industry email account?
Industry assigned emails ensure that the BCMB and other stakeholders have a verifiable, current, and active method of communication with each depot. Any communications sent from the depot to the BCMB or other industry partners should be sent using the industry email account. For security purposes, the BCMB does not accept applications or requests for information for depots from third party/alternate email addresses.
I forgot my industry email account password. Who can help?
Please contact the BCMB Compliance team at compliance@bcmb.ab.ca for assistance.
Can I sell my depot operating permit?
No, you cannot sell your depot operating permit. Depot permits are not transferable. Only the BCMB can provide a permit to operate a depot. If you sell your business that is currently operated as a depot, the BCMB cannot guarantee the buyer of this business a permit to operate a depot. The buyer would need to apply for their own permit and would need to meet or exceed the requirements outlined in the Depot By-law.
Should you wish to sell your depot, please direct any potential buyers to the Depot By-law and Depot Change of Ownership Application.
Can I change the location of my depot?
It is in the sole discretion of the BCMB to determine if a depot will be allowed to change its location. Any permit holder wanting to apply for a change of their permitted location must provide written notice by completing a Depot Relocation Application, which includes a thorough explanation of the reasons for the proposed relocation. A Depot Relocation Application must be submitted to the BCMB at least 90 days prior to the proposed relocation date. Click here for more information.
How often can the BCMB conduct a refund compliance audit or inspection at my depot?
The BCMB has the authority to conduct refund compliance audits and depot inspections at any time and at any frequency on each permitted depot. These audits and inspections are often conducted on a random basis. However, depots that are within compliance frameworks, under review, or depots that have received complaints from the public may experience increased BCMB presence and monitoring.
During inspections, BCMB staff should be permitted to move freely around the depot unrestricted. Depot operators and managers should ensure that the full depot premises, including any outbuildings or sheds for storage, are accessible. Should BCMB staff wish to inspect or search any item in the depot, they should be permitted to do so.
Why is it important to keep the BCMB informed of depot management changes?
It is a requirement of the Depot By-law that permit holders immediately advise the BCMB of any change in the identity or contact information of the depot manager. Additionally, it is important for the BCMB to know who to speak to when staff visit the depot, receive complaints from the public, need to discuss operational issues/compliance, or when responding to Container Validation Requests (CVRs). The BCMB also has a duty to review criminal record checks for depot managers to ensure there is no risk to the public or the system.