About the
expanded deposit system

Why is the deposit system being expanded and modernized?

To improve the recovery, recycling and reuse of beverage containers. The deposit system is an efficient way of increasing the recovery rate of beverage containers consumed at home and in public places.

Thanks to separation at source, the deposit system also promotes recovery of quality materials for recycling. Under the current deposit system, 100% of the containers returned to retailers for a deposit are recycled.

Eventually, 4.5 billion returnable beverage containers will be effectively recycled, compared to 2.4 billion currently.

Containers covered by the expanded deposit system:

Ready-to-drink beverage containers from 100 ml to 2 L, whether plastic, glass, metal, cardboard or multi-layer, including:

Multi-layer cardboard containers, such as milk and juice containers, will be returnable during a second phase of the project.

Containers not covered by the expanded deposit system:

Beverage containers of less than 100 ml and more than 2 L
Concentrates, ready-to-mix, condiments (e.g., broths, sauces)
Medicated syrups
Beverages sold in flexible packaging (e.g., flexibe “pouch” type or wine cask)
Containers to which the beverage is added at the point of sale (e.g., a paper coffee cup)
Detergent containers

What are the changes?

Amount of the deposit

The government’s intention is to increase the minimum deposit value to 0.10¢ for most containers and 0.25¢ for larger containers.

Operation of the future deposit system

Planning for the future deposit system is underway. Since July 31, 2021, pilot projects have been set up to test different container-return models. The objective is to implement an accessible and efficient recovery network throughout Quebec. According to the scenario envisaged, this network would be made up of recovery points at retailers as well as independent drop-off locations.