Frequently Asked Questions for Members

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

• the producer's full contact details;
• the types of products targeted for marketing, the brands and the status of the producer with regard to these products: brand owner, first supplier , etc.

• complete and submit monthly declarations in the Declaration Management > Declarations section.
• communicate company contact details and contacts in addition to managing account users in the Account section.
• file and update the list of registered products that are marketed by the producer in the Product Management > Products section.
• have quick access to various information and regulatory documents related to the system deposit-refund modernized. These resources are available in the Members > Information section.

Most beverage containers are redeemable for 10 cents, except for certain glass bottles of 500 mL and more, which are already redeemable and for which the deposit amount is 25 cents.

See Fact Sheet – Phases 1 and 2 – Amount of the deposit on redeemable beverage containers in the press room.

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 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.

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

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

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.

Yes, all Consignaction return sites are accessible by people with reduced mobility.

The opening of return sites are communicated to municipalities and the media.

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.

Yes. The network of return locations is being transformed and optimized. There will eventually be fewer locations, but the new Consignaction and Consignaction+ return sites have the capacity to receive and process much larger volumes of beverage containers thanks to high-performance, efficient equipment that uses state-of-the-art technology.

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 :

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.

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 communications from its associations, such as the Association des brasseurs du Québec, the Association des microbrasseries du Québec and others;
• the website www.consignaction.ca. This site contains a wealth of information on deposit-refund systems deposit-refund general. In the Members section, producers will find information relevant to them;
• to webinars for producers;
• to newsletters sent to them;
• to an advertising campaign that began on January 13, 2025 on various platforms: television, radio, print, urban displays, Internet and social media;
• to activities organized to inform the media who, in turn, will relay the information to the general public.