Consignaction: Opening of a return site in the Ville-Marie borough (Montreal)

Montreal, February 20, 2025 – In preparation for the second phase of the deposit-refund system modernization, the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA)/Consignaction announces that a return site opened at 221 Sainte-Catherine Street East in the Ville-Marie borough of Montreal. Operating under the Consignaction banner, 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.

“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

This Consignaction-branded return site is dedicated exclusively to recovery of redeemable beverage containers and offers two services: 1) Single-Unit Return via reverse vending machines and 2) Express Return service, which allows people to drop off a bag of unsorted containers. Another new feature is the ability for people to obtain their refund via the Consignaction mobile app. When making single-unit returns, users can be refunded in cash or by secure electronic means, while those using 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 modernization, 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, Consignaction programs have been promoting recycling among citizens and businesses. Consignaction is the official brand used to promote the activities of the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association (QBCRA) to the general public and stakeholders.QBCRA the designated management organization responsible for developing, implementing, financing, and managing the deposit-refund system based on the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). It brings together beverage producers involved in the recovery, reuse, recycling, and recovery of beverage containers in Quebec. For more information, www.consignaction.ca 

– 30 – 

For more information, please contact Annie Jolicoeur, [email protected]