Consignaction: A Consignaction+ return site opens in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (Montreal)

Montreal, December 4, 2024 - In preparation for the second phase of modernization of the deposit-refund system, the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA)/Consignaction is pleased to announce today that a return site has opened its doors at 6705 Saint-Jacques Street, in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough. Operating under the Consignaction+ banner, this return site is equipped with state-of-the-art, high-performance equipment. Everything is in place to recover larger quantities of redeemable beverage containers quickly and efficiently.

“The QBCRA/Consignaction is now offering an upgraded user experience for returns of redeemable beverage containers,” said Maryse Taupier, Vice-President of Operations, QBCRA/Consignaction. “This return-site model delivers customer-experience innovation and is inspired by best practices.”

Consignaction+ return site

Dedicated exclusively to the recovery of redeemable beverage containers, this Consignaction+ return site will meet the needs of a wide range of customers: citizens, industries, businesses and institutions (ICI), on-site consumption establishments, and more. The site offers three services: 1) Single-Unit Return, via reverse vending machines; 2) Express Return, which allows people to drop off a bag of unsorted containers; and 3) Bulk Return, which uses even more efficient equipment capable of handling hundreds of containers in just a few minutes. Another new feature is the ability for people to obtain their refund through the Consignaction mobile application. When making single-unit returns and bulk returns, users can be refunded in cash or by secure electronic means, while those opting for Express Return are offered electronic refunds only, since the containers are sorted and counted in the days following drop-off. Staff are present on the premises to offer customer service. The return site is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

A hybrid network of return sites

As of March 1, 2025, the return network will include at least 1,200 sites in Quebec. With the modernization of the deposit-refund system, the network is being transformed, evolving from a return-to-retail model to a hybrid model including Consignaction and Consignaction+ banners dedicated exclusively to returns of redeemable beverage containers, as well as Zone Consignaction return sites located 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. 

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

On March 1, 2025, as part of the second phase of deposit-refund expansion, all ready-to-drink plastic beverage containers of between 100 mL and 2 L will be redeemable, as will water, sparkling water and juice bottles. In all, 1.5 billion plastic bottles will be subject to deposit-refund. Note that the government has announced a postponement of expanded deposit-return for two categories of containers: 1) glass containers that are not yet redeemable, such as bottles of wine and spirits; and 2) cartons, such as milk and juice cartons. These containers will become redeemable as part of a third phase, to take 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