Frequently asked questions
General
What is the deposit system?
When you return your beverage containers, you are taking real action to help the environment: separation at source improves the quality of materials and helps ensure that all redeemable containers are 100% recycled as part of a closed-loop deposit-return system that has proven its worth for nearly 40 years.
Deposit system modernization
What are the key dates in the expansion of the deposit system?
- November 1, 2023In addition to all beverage containers that were already redeemable, all aluminum beverage containers of between 100 mL and 2 L are included in the deposit system, including small vegetable juice cans, sparkling water cans, etc.
- March 1, 2025
- All plastic beverage containers of between 100 mL and 2 L.
- All glass beverage containers of between 100 mL and 2 L, including wine bottles.
- All multi-layer cardboard-type containers of between 100 mL and 2 L, including milk cartons and juice boxes.
What are the main changes?
- The deposit amount is now 10 cents The amount of the deposit on almost all redeemable beverage containers is now 10 cents, except for large glass bottles of between 500 mL and 2 L, which are already redeemable and for which the amount is 25 cents. In the interest of standardization, the amount for containers were previously redeemable for a 20-cent refund is now 10 cents. If you have beverage containers for which the deposit amount is 20 cents, you have until November 1, 2023, to return them to the point of sale for a full refund. There will, however, be a 15-day grace period, after which the refund amount will be 10 cents.
- All aluminum containers are redeemable:As of November 1, 2023, all aluminum beverage containers of between 100 mL and 2 L are redeemable.
What is extended producer responsibility (EPR)?
What are the goals of deposit system modernization?
Why is the deposit-refund system being modernized?
- more beverage containers are redeemable (expansion of the product categories included in the deposit system);
- the amount of the deposit is standardized at 10 cents for the majority of beverage containers;
- beverage producers are now responsible for end-of-life management of the products they market (extended producer responsibility).
Who is responsible for the Quebec deposit system?
What to know about the deposit system
How do I know whether a beverage container is redeemable?
Why is there no deposit on wine bottles, water bottles or juice and milk containers?
Which beverage containers are included in the Quebec deposit system; i.e., redeemable?
My municipality has a site where I can drop off glass containers. Should I take my redeemable glass beverage containers there?
Should I take my returnable beverage containers to retailer or put them in my recycling bin?
Why have a deposit on beverage containers?
- It results in better-quality materials:
- processors have less sorting to do;
- there is less breakage;
- the quantity of unwanted residual materials is reduced;
- recovered materials’ resale value is higher;
- the materials recycling process is more efficient and cleaner.
- It helps us take care of our environment and our planet:
- less waste ends up in the environment and landfills;
- our reliance on raw materials is reduced;
- there are energy savings compared with extraction, transportation and processing of raw materials for manufacturing of beverage containers;
- raw materials needed to manufacture beverage containers;
- our environmental footprint is reduced.
- It benefits the economy, for example through:
- the creation of thousands of jobs across Quebec;
- the development of new materials recycling channels;
- innovation in a growth sector;
- support for social economy organizations.
Return of redeemable beverage containers
Can I crush my cans to save space?
Can I put different sizes of cans in the same bag?
Can I donate a bunch of containers that I’ve collected?
With the deposit amount no longer printed on redeemable beverage containers, how do I know whether a particular container is redeemable?
The automated collector (reverse vending machine) rejected a redeemable beverage container when I tried to insert it. What do I do?
What is the amount of the deposit?
How do I return my beverage containers for a refund?
- Feed aluminum or plastic containers into an automated collector (reverse vending machine); the machine will print out a receipt for the total refund amount, which you then take to the customer service counter to receive your refund; and/or
- Take glass bottles to the customer service counter to receive your refund.
Why do almost all beverage containers now have a 10-cent deposit?
- Increasing the deposit amount to 10 cents is a way to encourage consumers to recover more beverage containers and achieve recovery objectives; i.e., it is an incentive.
- The other purpose of the legislative change is to standardize the deposit amounts, among other reasons to make things easier for consumers.
What is the amount of the deposit?
Types of refundable container | Format | Examples | Deposit amount |
All Aluminium beverges container | 100 ml to 2 L | All beverage containers | 0,10 $ |
Plastic (PET) already under the old deposit system | 100 ml to 2 L | Soft drink | 0,10 $ |
Single and multiple use container Glass already under the old deposit system | 100 ml to 499 ml | Beer / soft drink | 0,10 $ |
Single and multiple use container Glass already under the old deposit system | 500 ml and more | Beer / soft drink | 0,25 $ |
Where to return
Should my retailer give me an empty bag in exchange for a full one?
Can I take a bag full of cans or returnable plastic bottles back to my retailer?
Why does my dépanneur say that he has the right to refuse reimbursement of the deposit-refund when he charges it to me?
My retailer will only take back containers sold at the store. Is this normal?
Where can I return my beverage containers for a refund and how do I find a list of locations?
Recycling of containers included in the deposit system
What happens to the recovered materials?
What happens to my aluminum beverage containers once I return them? What about plastic ones? And glass?
Customer service
My office has bought a box. When are you going to empty it?
Can I put different sizes of cans in the same bag?