Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice
By Timothy Mastel-Marr  -  Executive Director, ABDA, and Craig Bailey - Board Member, ABDA.

I argue that now is the time the Association must come forward with a Code of Ethics and possibly even Standards of Practice for our industry for a number of reasons.

1. We are being looked to for advice and leadership. Many constituents including government, public and public advocate groups, the AUMA, AAMD&C, the environmental community, and other operators are all turning to the Association for support and leadership. We must show that there is an emerging standard that is the minimum acceptable for the operation of a bottle depot so as to maintain our position of pushing the professional and leadership envelope of this industry.


2. We are pioneering a new and unique system for recycling. As a result we need accountability measures. We are being judged by constituents from outside Alberta as to the acceptability of a system like ours for the bigger picture of recycling (Ontario, B.C., etc.) If we have internal accountability measures we are more likely to be held with respect rather than suspicion.


3. We have and need to maintain the moral upper hand over our counterparts.  Those who argue bottle depots are of no value (manufacturers) or are shoddy, shady, "back alley businesses" (some politicians or public members) need to be defeated. The integrity of a system like ours can easily be, and often is, tarnished by a constituent (manufacturer, upset politician) pointing to the bad and the unethical business practices of some operators, painting the lot of us with broad unfair strokes. If our own backyards are clean and pristine and we can point to accountability standards, we can hold our membership, at least, up as the shinning example of the kind of operator and operation that should be emulated and strived for.


4. We need to further separate Members from Non-Members. A code and written standard is a unifying piece of the Association puzzle. This is another piece of the Association armour that sets members apart from non-members. We can argue for opportunities to go to only members because they are the active, professional business people that are interested in making programs work. It is the members who subscribe to ethical standards as part of their commitment to working together through an organised body like the Association, versus the non-members whono one is certain what they subscribe to.