The deposit-refund system modernization
To all municipalities,
As a municipality, you play a key role in modernizing the deposit-refund system. For over 40 years, Quebecers have been returning their deposit-refundable beverage containers to retailers. With the advent of the deposit-refund system modernization, the network of return sites changing. It is evolving from a model based on returns to retailers to a hybrid model that includes Consignaction and Consignaction+ banners, reserved exclusively for the return of returnable beverage containers, as well as Zone Consignaction return points Zone Consignaction participating retailers. This change is being made in order to handle the anticipated high volumes and achieve the target recovery rate of 90% by 2032.
In this issue, you'll find the latest information in preparation for the rollout of phase 2, which begins on March1, 2025.
TheQBCRA team wishes you Happy Holidays!
As you know, the Quebec government postponed the deposit-refund targeting two categories of beverage containers: 1) glass containers that are not already deposit-refundable, such as wine and spirits bottles, and 2) multi-layer cardboard containers, such as milk and juice cartons. These containers will be deposit-refundable during a third phase that will come into effect on March 1, 2027.
However, the plan to deposit all plastic ready-to-drink beverage containers from 100 ml to 2 L remains. These will be from March 1, 2025, which represents an addition of approximately 1.2 billion containers to the system. deposit-refund .
1. New matters covered by the deposit-refund
From March 1 , 2025, returnable beverage containers will be:
- New containers: all ready-to-drink 100 ml to 2 l plastic containers that are not already returnable, such as water, sparkling water and juice bottles, as well as other beverages.
- Containers already returned remain :
- The majority of beer and beverage containers soft drink made of plastic and glass.
- All aluminum ready-to-drink beverage containers from 100 ml to 2 l.
Please note that the amount of the deposit-refund on plastic beverage containers is 10 cents, like most other containers.
2. New habits
Starting March1, 2025, citizens will be able to return new plastic beverage containers, in addition to existing returnable containers, to a return site or Consignaction+ return site Consignaction+ a Zone Consignaction return point.
return sites and Consignaction+ return sites
return sites and Consignaction+ return sites , which are like stores with a modern look, are gradually popping up all over Quebec. This return sites concept, which is cutting-edge and unique in North America, incorporates state-of-the-art technology capable of processing the 4.3 billion beverage containers that will be subject to deposit-refund March1, 2025.
Zone Consignaction return point
Citizens will be able to return their deposit-bearing beverage containers to a Zone Consignaction return point Zone Consignaction the automated collection machines provided for this purpose, or bring them to the service counter, as they have always done.
3. Grouping retailers around return sites and Consignaction+ return sites
There are currently several return sites in your municipality:
- Zone Consignaction return points Zone Consignaction participating retailers, i.e., retailers with a sales area exceeding 375 m² that are required to take back returnable beverage containers, and
- small retailers who voluntarily participate in the collection of returnable beverage containers.
When a return site or Consignaction+ return site Consignaction+ , regulations allow retailers to group together around this new return site the regulatory radius. In practical terms, this means that retailers who previously took back beverage containers at their establishments will no longer do so and will redirect citizens to this new return site. It is important to note that a return site can collect up to 7 million returnable beverage containers per year, while aConsignaction+ return site Consignaction+ collect up to 25 million, which is a much higher volume than is currently collected at Zone Consignaction return points. Citizens will be notified of the change in return site posters displayed by retailers. These posters will indicate the address of the new return site or Consignaction+ return site Consignaction+ to the one with which it is merging. These changes are being made to optimize the network of return sites the number of beverage containers subject to deposit-refund significantly.
4. Map of return sites
If you would like to know the location of return sites, consult themap of return siteson the websitewww.consignaction.ca
Reminder
This fall,QBCRA organized a webinar for municipalities. During this information session,QBCRA provided an overview of the return sites network and invited you to consult the return sites lists to find out where the return sites are located in your municipality. Please note that these documents are evolving and updated on a regular basis. To consult them, click here.
For more information, visit
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If you have any questions, please email municipalite@consignaction.ca