Consignaction: Opening of a return site in Gatineau (Outaouais)

Montreal, July 17, 2025 – As part of the modernization and expansion of the deposit-refund system, the Quebec Beverage Container Recovery Association (QBCRA)/Consignaction announces the opening of its first return site in Gatineau at 117 Lépine Avenue, Suite 101, Buckingham District, in the Outaouais administrative region. This return site equipped with new, high-performance, state-of-the-art equipment. Everything is in place to recover larger quantities of returnable beverage containers quickly and efficiently.

"AQRCB/Consignaction is proposing a renewed experience for the return of returnable beverage containers. This return sites model innovates in terms of customer experience, while drawing inspiration from best practices," said Maryse Taupier, Vice-President, Network Operations, AQRCB/Consignaction.

Consignaction return site

Exclusively reserved for the recovery of returnable beverage containers, thisConsignaction return site Consignaction two services: 1) Return à l'unité with automated recovery machines, or 2) Express Return allows users to drop off a bag of unsorted containers. Another new feature is that citizens who wish to do so can receive their refund via the Consignaction mobile app. For individual returns, citizens can be reimbursed in cash or via secure electronic transfer, while for Express Return, reimbursement is only available electronically, as the containers are sorted and counted in the following days. The Consignaction returns advisor team Consignaction available to assist citizens with the recovery of their containers on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

A hybrid network of return sites

There are now a few thousand return sites across Quebec where people can take their redeemable beverage containers. Since 2024, the network has evolved from a return-to-retailers model to a hybrid model including sites under the Consignaction and Consignaction+ banners, which are exclusively for returns of redeemable containers, as well as Zone Consignaction return sites on retailers’ premises. This change stemming from the modernization of the deposit-refund system enables quick and efficient processing of larger volumes of containers with a view to achieving the target recovery rate of 90% by 2032.

Phase 2 : Expansion of deposit-refund to include plastic beverage containers

Since March ^1, 2025, all plastic ready-to-drink beverage containers, from 100 ml to 2 l, are part of the recycling system. deposit-refund Plastic bottles of water, sparkling water, juice, sports drinks, milk and spirits are now returnable, bringing the total to around 1.5 billion returnable plastic bottles.

The government has postponed the extension of the deposit-refund scheme to two categories of beverage containers: 1) glass containers that are not already returnable, such as wine and spirits bottles, and 2) multi-layer cardboard containers, such as milk and juice cartons. These containers will be returnable in a third phase taking effect on March^1, 2027.

Consignaction and the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA)

Since 2001, programs branded with the Consignaction name have promoted beverage-container recovery to citizens and companies. Consignaction is the official emblem for promoting the activities of the QBCRA to the public and stakeholders. The QBCRA is the designated management body (DMB) for the development, implementation, financing and management of the modernized deposit-refund system, in line with the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR). Its members are the various beverage producers involved in the recovery, reuse, recycling and reclamation of beverage containers in Quebec. For more information, visit www.consignaction.ca

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For more information: Annie Jolicoeur,consignaction