Frequently Asked Questions

The deposit-refund system is a recovery/recycling method based on the temporary collection of a deposit when a beverage container is sold. The deposit amount collected is an incentive for people to take their containers back to a return site for a refund. Only people who choose not to return their redeemable beverage containers lose money.




When you return your beverage containers, you are taking real action to help the environment: separation of materials at source and their processing in a closed-loop system that has proven its worth ensures that 100% of redeemable beverage containers collected are recycled.

Since October 2022, the QBCRA has been the government’s designated management body (DMB) for the beverage container deposit-refund system.

The QBCRA is responsible for the development, implementation, financing and management of the modernized deposit-refund system, in line with the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR).

The QBCRA acts on behalf of the beverage producers involved in the recovery, reuse, recycling and reclamation of beverage containers in Quebec.

Consignaction is the official emblem of deposit-refund in Quebec and the brand used to promote the operations of the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA) to the general public and stakeholders. Consignaction programs have promoted recovery to citizens and companies since 2001.

EPR is a principle whereby the companies that market products are also responsible for their end-of-life management of their products.

A deposit-refund system for beverage containers means:

• Helping to care for our environment and the planet:
  • Less waste ends up in nature 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;
  • Our environmental footprint is reduced.

• Better-quality materials:
  • The materials recycling process is more efficient and cleaner;
  • The quantity of unwanted residual materials is reduced;
  • There is less sorting to do for the packers;
  • Recovered materials’ resale value is higher.

• Economic benefits, 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.

The current deposit-return system dates to 1984, so an overhaul was needed. In 2022, to help improve recovery and recycling of our beverage containers, the Government of Quebec enacted a law that lays out the bases for modernization of the system.

One of the Government’s objectives is to increase the recovery rate for redeemable beverage containers to 90% by 2032.

Phase 1 – As of November 1, 2023:

• The deposit amount is now 10 cents: the amount of the deposit on the majority of redeemable beverage containers is now 10 cents, except for glass bottles of between 500 mL and 2 L, which are already redeemable and for which the amount is 25 cents.
• All aluminum ready-to-drink beverage containers of between 100 mL and 2 L are redeemable.

Phase 2 – Beginning March 1, 2025:

• Deposit-refund is expanded to all plastic ready-to-drink beverage containers of between 100 mL and 2 L, including water, sparkling water and juice bottles;
• The network of beverage container return locations is transformed, with, among other things, implementation of Consignaction and Consignaction+ return sites exclusively dedicated to recovery of beverage containers. These return sites feature state-of-the-art, high-performance equipment with the capacity to handle the expected large volumes of containers.

Phase 3 – Beginning March 1, 2027:

• Deposit-refund is expanded to all glass and multi-layer carton ready-to-drink beverage containers of between 100 mL and 2 L;
• A total of 5 billion beverage containers will be subject to deposit-refund in Quebec.

See: Fact Sheet 1 – Key Stages in the Modernization of Deposit-Refund System in Quebec.

In Quebec, redeemable beverage containers include:

• The vast majority of soft-drink and beer containers
•  All ready-to-drink beverage cans of between 100 mL and 2 L
• All plastic ready-to-drink beverage containers of between 100 mL and 2 L, including bottles of water, sparkling water, juice, milk, and spirits

To find out which beverage containers are redeemable and which are not, see the page Targeted and non-targeted containers on the website.

See also the List of all redeemable beverage containers and the amounts of the deposit applicable

In Quebec, non-redeemable beverage containers include:

• Glass bottles of wine and spirits (redeemable in 2027)
• Cartons of juice, milk and other beverages (redeemable in 2027)
• Drinkable yogurt and meal supplements
• Family-size canned juices and cans
• All beverage containers of LESS THAN 100 mL and MORE THAN 2 L, regardless of material

To find out which beverage containers are redeemable and which are not, see the page Targeted and non-targeted containers on the website or the List of returnable beverage containers and deposit-refund.

No. The Quebec government has postponed the deposit-refund on wine and spirits bottles and multilayer cartons until March 1, 2027.

Yes, the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) has a regulatory obligation to participate in the deposit-refund system, as do all other producers

If a retailer is targeted by the Regulation, its main obligations are to:

• Register with the QBCRA/Consignaction by creating an account on the Retailers portal.
• Accept returns of all redeemable beverage containers and refund the amount of the deposit, regardless of where the containers were purchased.
• Display the amount of the deposit where beverages in redeemable containers are sold.
• Post a sign at the entrance to the business stating that it is a redeemable beverage container return site.

To learn more, read Article 45 and following of the Regulation Respecting the Development, Implementation and Financial Support of a Deposit-Refund System For Certain Containers.

If a retailer is not targeted by the Regulation or is part of a grouping of retailers, its main obligations are to:

• Display the amount of the deposit where beverages in redeemable containers are sold.
• Post, inside or at the entrance to the business, the address of the nearest return site.

To learn more, read Article 53 of the Regulation Respecting the Development, Implementation and Financial Support of a Deposit-Refund System For Certain Containers.

No. A participating retailer (targeted or non-targeted) must accept returns of all redeemable beverage containers and refund the associated deposit, even if they do not sell the product in question.

To learn more, read Article 45 of the Regulation Respecting the Development, Implementation and Financial Support of a Deposit-Refund System For Certain Containers.

Yes. Retailers are obliged to indicate the amount of the deposit on the sales receipt. More precisely: “The amount of the deposit must also appear on the invoice for the person who purchases the product, on a line just below the line indicating the amount of the sale.”

To learn more, read Article 52 of the Regulation Respecting the Development, Implementation and Financial Support of a Deposit-Refund System For Certain Containers.

It is preferable not to crush redeemable beverage containers, as they may not be recognized by our machines and could be treated as rejects. You would then need to go to the service counter so that our staff can count them manually, which can be very time-consuming.

For Express Return, it is not possible to return crushed cans and plastic bottles in a bag. You will also need to go to the service counter with such a bag so that our staff can assist you.

Yes, but it may not be recognized by our machines, and the beverage containers will be treated as rejects. You would need to go to the service counter to receive a refund per item.

It is no longer necessaryto look for the words “Consignée Québec” on redeemable beverage containers. To find out whether a container is redeemable, refer to the question “Which beverage containers are included in the Quebec deposit system; i.e., redeemable?” in this FAQ list, or view What to return > Targeted and non-targeted containers. You can also view the List of returnable beverage containers and deposit refund applicable.

Yes. Rinsing containers is recommended to reduce the risk of contamination and unpleasant odours. It’s also a mark of respect for the employees handling the containers. Redeemable beverage containers containing liquid or waste will be refused.

The value of a full bag has been established based on the average capacity of the bag for each type of container. For full details, see the online store on the www.consignaction.ca website.

It depends on where you’ll be returning your containers.

Zone Consignaction return points (participating retailers): You can place different-sized beverage containers in a Consignaction clear bag as long as they are the same material. The containers must be sorted, that is, materials (aluminum and plastic) cannot be mixed together in the same bag. Glass is not accepted in Consignaction clear bags. The amount of the refund is established based on the Consignaction bag table of values, available on the online store page.

Consignaction and Consignaction+ return sites: You can place unsorted beverage containers in a clear bag (max 90L). The containers will be counted individually and the amount of your refund will correspond to the exact number of redeemable containers you’ve returned.

A social economy enterprise can request free Consignaction boxes by contacting QBCRA Customer Service at 1 877 CANETTE (1 877 226-3883), or using the e-mail address reserved for them, [email protected].

A social economy enterprise that accumulates at least 5 bags of redeemable beverage containers is entitled to collection service. For more information, please e-mail [email protected].

Yes. The majority of reverse vending machines will accept all newly redeemable plastic containers of between 100 mL to 2 L. Always position the barcode correctly in front of the optical scanner.

For full details on refund methods, see Return sites on the website.

To find out the value of bags and crates of redeemable beverage containers, see the table of bag values at the bottom of the Store page.

You can donate a refund amount to an organization by contacting them directly.

For a given month, the refund is issued by the QBCRA or the designated recovery operator for the establishment. The refund is issued within approximately 15 working days after the end of the month or at any other interval agreed upon between the recovery operator and the establishment.

The payment method (bank transfer or cheque) is determined by the QBCRA or the recovery operator, and may be subject to change. No cash refunds are issued.

The Consignaction mobile application allows you to obtain your deposit refund by secure electronic means when you take your redeemable beverage containers to a Consignaction or Consignaction+ return site.

You can download the app via our site; go to Return Site. Alternatively, depending on what type of phone you have, you can download it from Google Play or the Apple Store; simply enter Consignaction in the search bar.

After you’ve downloaded the app, you create a profile, and a unique QR code is assigned to you. When you go to a Consignaction or Consignaction+ return site, you identify yourself using either your phone number or your QR code, depending on which service you are using, Single-Unit Return, Express Return or Bulk Return, and then return your containers.

To find out how to obtain a refund, see the question: “How do I obtain my deposit refund using the Consignaction mobile application?”

To obtain a refund using the mobile app:

• Check the Consignaction account balance.
• Request a refund.

Depending on the financial institution, the transferred amount will be credited to the holder’s bank account within 24 hours.

No. You cannot use the app to make a transaction.

Yes. You can view our privacy policy at this link: Consignaction Privacy Policy.

Complete information is available on the Map of return sites on the website.

Complete information is available on the Map of return sites on the website.

There are two types of return site:

• Zone Consignaction return points (participating retailers)
• Consignaction and Consignaction+ return sites (boutique-style spaces)

Detailed information about the various return sites may be found on the website at Return sites.

The service provided at a Zone Consignaction return point is:

• Single-Unit Return: via reverse vending machines or at the customer service counter.

To learn more about the different types of return site and the services they provide, read Fact Sheet 4.

The services provided at a Consignaction return site are:

• Single-Unit Return: Deposit-return beverage containers one by one via next-generation automated reverse vending machines. via reverse vending machines.
• Express Return: Drop-off clear bags containing unsoreted of deposit-return containers.
  • Containers are counted later, and the refund is issued via electronic transfer.
  • Important: This service requires the Consignaction mobile app.

To learn more about the different types of return site and the services they provide, read Fact Sheet 4.

The services provided at a Consignaction return site are:

• Single-Unit Return: Deposit-return beverage containers one by one via next-generation automated reverse vending machines. via reverse vending machines.
• Express Return: Drop-off clear bags containing unsoreted of deposit-return containers.
  • Containers are counted later, and the refund is issued via electronic transfer.
  • Important: This service requires the Consignaction mobile app.
• Bulk Return : Drop-off large quantities of unsorted deposit-return containers.

To learn more about the different types of return site and the services they provide, read Fact Sheet 4.

The business days and hours of operation of the return sites are as follows:

• Consignaction and Consignaction+ return sites: daily, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Thursday and Friday (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.). These return sites are closed on January 1 and 2, June 24, and December 24, 25, 26 and 31.
• Zone Consignaction return points (participating retailers): Business hours correspond to those of the retailer.

All Consignaction and Consignaction+ return sites are closed on the following dates: January 1 and 2, June 24, and December 24, 25, 26 and 31.

In 2023, the Ministère de l’Environnement du Québec has modernized the province’s deposit-refund system with the objective of improving recovery and recycling and helping to grow the circular economy.

To successfully implement modernization, it was essential that the network of redeemable beverage container return sites be transformed. This means changing from a return-to-retailer model to a hybrid model that includes:

• Spaces that are branded Consignaction and Consignaction+, exclusively dedicated to returns of redeemable beverage containers; and
• Zone Consignaction return points at participating retailers.

The purpose of the change is to gain the capacity to process the expected large volumes of containers and achieve the target recovery rate of 90% by 2032.

The network will comprise more than 3,500n return sites by March 1, 2025.

People can consult the Map of return sites on the Consignaction website at any time to find the site nearest them.

Since November 1, 2023, retailers who used to recover redeemable beverage containers have been required to post a sign at the entrance to their business indicating whether they still do. If they do not, they must post the address of the nearest return site.

A retailer who will no longer be accepting returns of redeemable beverage containers is required to give people approximately one month’s notice by posting a sign at the entrance to their store providing the address of the nearest return site.

If the retailer is part of a group, they must use the posters e-mailed to them by the QBCRA once the grouping is in effect. The posters can also be downloaded via the retailers’ account once the grouping has been confirmed.

A kiosk is an outdoor facility equipped with reverse vending machines, located close to a retailer’s main building, e.g., in the parking lot. People can drop off their redeemable beverage containers there, except for redeemable beer bottles (MFCs), which must be taken to the service counter inside. Kiosks are branded with the Consignaction colours and the Zone Consignaction symbol :

Only a permanent retailer can host a kiosk. To do so, the retailer must meet certain criteria set by the QBCRA in collaboration with the food retailer industry, including a criterion concerning the estimated volume of redeemable beverage containers.

For the past several months, a QBCRA team has been travelling throughout Quebec to meet the permanent retailers concerned and determine their redeemable beverage container recovery needs. When the kiosk recovery option is chosen, the QBCRA team handles all stages of implementation. All costs for equipment purchases and construction of the kiosk are borne by the QBCRA. Permanent retailers who want to know more should contact QBCRA Customer Service at 1 877 CANETTE (1 877 226-3883), ext. 2 or using the e-mail address reserved for retailers, [email protected].

A QBCRA team is currently travelling throughout Quebec to meet permanent retailers concerned one by one and determine their redeemable beverage container recovery needs, taking into account, among other things, the 1.2 billion plastic containers that are now redeemable as of March 1, 2025. The QBCRA has already ordered kiosks for certain retailers, who will be responsible for requesting the required permit from the municipality and for operating the kiosk. The QBCRA covers the cost of building the kiosk.

Yes, kiosks must be open on the same days and during the same hours as the business. This is a regulatory requirement. Furthermore, the kiosk business days and hours must be posted on the premises such that they are easily visible from outside.

To learn more, read Articles 27 and 28 of the Regulation Respecting the Development, Implementation and Financial Support of a Deposit-Refund System For Certain Containers

There are three main reasons why some retailers are no longer accepting returns:

• Pursuant to deposit-refund modernization, retailers with smaller sales areas, equal to or less than 375 m²/4,036 sq ft (for example, small grocery stores and dépanneurs), were no longer required as of November 1, 2023, to accept returns of redeemable beverage containers. Some smaller-size retailers, however, have chosen to voluntarily continue to accept returns.
• Other retailers are no longer accepting returns because they grouped together with another return point (a targeted retailer, i.e., with a sales area larger than 375 m²) located nearby and as a result they are no longer required to offer the service directly. These retailers are required to post a notice at the entrance to their store providing the address(es) of the nearest location(s) where citizens can now return containers.
• Still other retailers, who had been participating in redeemable beverage container recovery on a volunteer basis, have decided to no longer do so.

This situation is possible. The Regulation states that a return site must be located at a reasonable distance from people’s homes. The QBCRA intends that in the majority of cases, there will be a return site along people’s usual grocery-shopping route and it will take 15 minutes or less to get there. To view the Map of return sites in Quebec, click here.

If a retailer is no longer a return site, it is obliged to notify the public approximately one month in advance by placing a sign at the entrance to the business, indicating the address of the nearest return site. The grouped retailer must use the posters sent by e-mail by the AQRCB when the grouping is in effect. These posters can also be downloaded from the retailer ‘s account once the grouping has been confirmed.

The QBCRA took environmental impact into account when planning the new network of return locations, so as to minimize transportation and handling. With the new network, 90% of people in Quebec will be able to get to a return location in 15 minutes or less. A further criterion for choosing return locations was to make sure they are along people’s usual grocery shopping routes.

Many players have an interest in deposit-refund. Citizens, non-profit organizations and other types of organization recognize the economic, social and environmental benefits of recovering redeemable beverage containers.

In 2024, the QBCRA conducted three projects in collaboration with social economy enterprises to better determine their needs and identify strategies for encouraging them to participate in the deposit-refund system. Three orientations were decided upon following these meetings:

1. Find and maintain employment for people with disabilities;
2. Foster active participation by social economy enterprises in the collection and management of redeemable beverage containers;
3. Mitigate the impacts of social precarity and exclusion.

Social economy enterprises interested in participating in the modernized deposit-refund system can express interest by completing the questionnaire available on the Social Economy page, or by e-mailing [email protected]. The QBCRA will be setting up a register of social economy enterprises that will be available for consultation.

Yes. The QBCRA intends to implement a program for hiring and maintaining employment for people with disabilities. A number of initiatives are being undertaken to that end. First, the QBCRA has taken steps to partner with adapted companies in Quebec with expertise in socio-professional integration. It also plans to develop an inclusive recruitment protocol, which will cover design of tools and training of recruitment staff, as well as onboarding and support for new employees.

Bags of redeemable beverage containers brought by organizations after a fundraising event are not accepted by retailers.

Citizens or organizations holding a fundraiser must return their bags to a Consignaction return site (maximum of 10 bags) or a Consignaction+ location (maximum of 20 bags). Please refer to Map of return site.

If you plan to return more than 20 bags, we recommend contacting us at the following email address: [email protected], well before your fundraising activity or event. Our team will be happy to assist you and suggest suitable solutions.

It is sometimes possible to make arrangements in advance with a retailer, provided that an agreement is reached between both parties.

Otherwise, you can return your bags to a Consignaction return site (maximum of 10 bags) or a Consignaction+ (maximum of 20 bags). See Map of return site.

If you plan to return more than 20 bags, we recommend contacting us at [email protected] well ahead of your fundraising activity or event. Our team will be happy to assist you and suggest suitable solutions.

Once you’ve finished your drinks and taken the containers to a return location, the containers embark on a long recycling journey. Depending on what they’re made of—aluminum, plastic or glass—beverage containers will find new life as another container or be repurposed into something new. To learn all about what happens to beverage containers, from the retailer’s shelves to the recovery facility, processing plant and recycling plant, go to The Container’s Journey or watch the informational video The Infinite Life Cycle of an Aluminum Can.

You can make a thousand-and-one things out of empty cans or bottles. Not only can aluminum, plastic and glass be recycled into new containers, but they are also used to manufacture hundreds of practical items, from clothing to bicycles, cars, construction materials and much, much more.

• to the website
• to newsletters sent to social economy enterprises;
• to webinars;
• a toolkit available on the website in the Partners section;
• to communications transmitted to the media.

Retailers will be informed of upcoming changes in a variety of ways, including:

• Various communications from retailer associations:
  • Association des détaillants en alimentation du Québec (ADAQ);
  • Retail Council of Canada (RCC);
  • Association des marchands dépanneurs et épiciers du Québec (AMDEQ);
  • etc.
• The QBCRA website, at www.consignaction.ca.
• Newsletters sent to retailers via their associations. Newsletters can be consulted in the Retailers section under the Newsletters tab.
• Webinars. The webinars presentations can be found in the Retailers section under the Toolkit tab under Webinars.
• The Toolkit available in the Retailers section of the website.
• Communications to the media, which then relay the information to the general public.

Retailers can also contact QBCRA Customer Service for more information, by calling 1 877 CANETTE (1 877 226-3883), ext. 2 or using the e-mail address reserved for retailers, [email protected].