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Modernized Deposit-Refund

Objective of deposit-refund modernization

Expanding the deposit-refund system to include more beverage containers enhance recovery and facilitate reclamation. Basing the bottle deposit system on containers—not contents—will also reduce consumer confusion. Moreover, the deposit-refund system is an effective incentive that increases the container recovery rate for beverages consumed in both the home and public settings. The container recovery rate for returnable containers has stagnated for more than 10 years. Deposit amounts are insufficient to encourage individuals to return the containers, especially for ready-to-drink beverages consumed outside the home, the proportion of which is rising steadily. Increasing the deposit amount will spur the return of these containers and avoid having them end up in landfills or in the wild.

The reform will establish the preconditions for rethinking deposit-refund and selective collection in a logic of circularity. Modernization will enable conditions to be put in place to rethink the deposit-refund and selective collection systems in a logic of circularity. It will also help to transform the container value chain so that recovery and reclamation can be handled locally. At-source sorting of redeemable containers promotes the quality of residual materials, which in turn facilitates recycling and circularity, especially of glass. It then becomes easier to produce bottles and other products from used bottles. This measure will fight climate change by limiting shipping these types of residual materials and reducing the extraction of raw materials, thereby making recycled materials available for conversion in a closed, local loop.

Regulation and regulatory amendments

The Regulation respecting the development, implementation and financial support of a deposit refund system for certain containersThis hyperlink will open in a new window. assigns responsibility for developing, implementing, and funding a modernized deposit-refund system to producers that sell, market or otherwise distribute all 100 milliliters to 2 liters ready-to-drink beverage containers, in accordance with the extended producer responsibility (EPR) approach. Management of the system is assigned to a management body designated by RECYC-QUÉBEC to represent the producers (DMB).

2025 amendments

Amendments to the Regulation were introduced in February 2025 following two separate public consultations held from October 2 to November 15, 2024 (French, PDF, 272 KB)This hyperlink will open in a new window., and from December 19, 2024, to February 1, 2025 (French, PDF, 246 KB)This hyperlink will open in a new window.. The objectives of these amendments included:

  • System rollout: Postponing by two years the inclusion of containers made of glass, other breakable materials, or fibers, including multilayer containers;
  • Return locations: Providing the DMB responsible for deposit-refund with more flexibility to optimize the network of return locations while ensuring comprehensive coverage across Québec. Specifically:
    • Maintaining the minimum number of return locations at 1,200 as of March 1, 2025, instead of increasing it to 1,500;
    • Establishing a minimum number of return locations per administrative region rather than a minimum number of return points, with a maximum of 25% for bulk return points;
    • Increasing the maximum permissible distance between a return location serving multiple retailers (retailer grouping) and any retailer it serves;
    • Extending the deposit refund period from 7 to 14 business days for containers returned at bulk return points;
    • Ensuring that return locations in remote and isolated areas are accessible year-round by road to the communities they serve;
    • Requiring producers, through the DMB, to establish and manage at least 400 return locations across Québec, with the following phased implementation by March 1, 2027:
      • 100 locations by September 1, 2025;
      • 200 locations by March 1, 2026;
      • 300 locations by September 1, 2026;
      • 400 locations by March 1, 2027;
  • Prescribed outcomes: Deferring the enforcement of annual recovery, reclamation, local reclamation, and recycling rates for fiber-based containers, including multilayer containers, to 2030;
  • Excluded containers: Excluding tin cans, which are not considered deposit-refund containers for marketing ready-to-drink beverages;
  • Reusable containers (RC): Maintaining the current conditions applicable to RCs. Specifically:
    • Providing greater flexibility in setting a distinct deposit amount for RCs to better meet industry needs;
    • Allowing separate collection of RCs at on-premises consumption establishments in the absence of an agreement. Collection may be managed by the DMB or by producers of these containers, as determined by the DMB;
  • Financial stability of the system: Ensuring financial security and predictability for the system. Specifically:
    • Requiring the DMB to establish and maintain a reserve fund covering at least three months of operations, similar to the requirements for the modernized selective collection system;
    • Extending the designation period of the DMB from five to ten years.

For more information on the February 2025 regulatory amendments:

2023 amendments

Amendments to the Regulation were introduced in August 2023, following a public consultation that ran from July 19 to August 3, 2023. The objectives of the amendments were as follows:

  • Provide for the modernized deposit-refund system to come into effect in two phases, over a period of 16 months:
    • Phase 1 (November 1, 2023):
      • Targeted containers: beer and soft drink containers and aluminum containers (e.g. juice, cider or sparkling water cans);
      • Minimum of 1,200 return locations;
      • Mandatory collection of returnable containers from on-premises consumption establishments (e.g., restaurants, hotels, cafeterias) with a seating capacity of more than 75;
    • Phase 2 (March 1, 2025):
      • Targeted containers: all ready-to-drink beverage containers from 100 milliliters to 2 liters;
      • Minimum of 1,500 return locations;
      • Mandatory collection of returnable containers from on-premises consumption establishments with a capacity of at least 20 seats;
  • Require cost modulation to encourage the use of refillable containers;
  • Align the definition of «targeted person» with that of other regulations so as to include brand owners with an establishment in Quebec;
  • Improve and align the parameters for the implementation of mandatory recovery plans when one or more prescribed performance rates are not met with the Regulation respecting a system of selective collection of certain residual materialsThis hyperlink will open in a new window. and the Regulation respecting the recovery and reclamation of products by enterprisesThis hyperlink will open in a new window.;
  • To provide for a period during which clients can be reimbursed for the full deposit on a beverage container purchased before the new system was implemented, when this amount exceeds the new deposit amount.

For more information on the August 2023 regulatory amendments, see the following:

Rollout of the deposit-refund system

Rollout of deposit-refund to 100 ml – 2 l ready-to-drink beverage containers (French, PDF, 159 KB)This hyperlink will open in a new window.

Key changes introduced by the modernization of deposit-refund in Québec

As of March 1, 2025, all plastic containers for ready-to-drink beverages ranging from 100 milliliters to 2 liters will be added to the deposit-refund system, alongside aluminum, beer and soft drink containers, which are already subject to a deposit. During the third phase, set to begin on March 1, 2027, all other targeted containers, including those made of glass, other breakable materials, or fibers (including multilayer containers), will be included in the deposit-refund system, regardless of their contents (milk, juice, wine, spirits, etc.). This three-phase expansion will more than double the number of containers covered under the deposit-refund system.

Deposit-refund modernization will also involve the following significant changes:

  • The amount of the deposit will rise to $0.10 for most containers covered and $0.25 for 500 milliliters or more, glass containers.
  • Producers that market target products in reusable containers can set a different deposit amount for them.
  • Producers that market target products in Québec will be responsible for developing, implementing and funding the system. Consequently, they will be tasked with recovering the containers until the final reclamation of all packaging materials is complete. To achieve this result, they assign the mandate to the Designated Management Body (DMB).
  • The DMB must achieve defined recovery, reclamation, local reclamation and recycling rates and report annually to the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs and RECYC-QUÉBEC. If it does not achieve the expected outcomes, remediation measures and increased funding contributions to the system are required of the DMB to bolster the system’s performance and foster the achievement of prescribed outcomes. To satisfy performance requirements, the DMB cooperates with its stakeholders in order to foster the eco-design of their redeemable containers, local reclamation, and closed loop recycling.
  • The network of redeemable container return sites must be able to manage a greater variety of sizes and materials and more containers. Certain retailers will no longer be obligated to accept redeemable containers. New return sites specifically intended for the deposit-refund system replace this feature.
  • The DMB must set up a collection service for redeemable containers consumed on the premises of restaurants, hotels, and cafeterias, etc., in Quebec with a minimum seating capacity of 20;
  • The deposit-refund system DMB is required to agree on a harmonization system with the selective collection DMB that sets operational and financial arrangements to take account of materials targeted by one system that end up in the other.

New containers targeted by the deposit-refund system

All containers used to market ready-to-drink beverages from 100 milliliters to 2 liters made of plastic, glass, metal, fibres (multi-layer containers), a combination of these materials, any other material or a combination of materials will be covered by the deposit, whether they are single- or multi-fill containers. The only exceptions are tin cans, flexible plastic containers (bags) such as «vinier» and those added at point of sale (e.g. coffee cups).

The rollout of the deposit-refund system for all containers will take place in three phases:

  1. November 1, 2023: addition of non-redeemable aluminum containers (e.g., juice, sparkling water or cider cans) to other containers already subject to a deposit (beer and soft drinks);
  2. March 1, 2025: addition of all other non-redeemable plastic containers in the deposit-refund system.
  3. March 1, 2027: addition of all remaining targeted containers, including those made of glass, other breakable materials, ferrous metal, multilayer, and bio-sourced materials, for beverages such as juice, milk, wine, and spirits, that were not yet covered by the deposit-refund system as of March 1, 2025

Designation of the management body representing the producers

On October 24, 2022, RECYC-QUÉBEC (French)This hyperlink will open in a new window. selected the Association québécoise de récupération des contenants de boissons (AQRCB)This hyperlink will open in a new window. as the Designated Management Body (DMB) for the next five years, with a mandate to represent the target producers in respect of their obligation to develop, implement and fund a modernized system of selective collection. This organization was designated by RECYC-QUÉBEC (French)This hyperlink will open in a new window. on October 24, 2022, for a ten-year term.

Rollout of the network of return locations

On November 1, 2023, the DMB must deploy a network of at least 1,200 return locations. These return locations must be distributed across southern Québec, in addition to additional return locations to be determined based on needs in remote or isolated areas. The network may also be supplemented by a private recovery network for Reusable Containers (RC), such as brown beer bottles.

This network of return locations must also comply with criteria regarding the number of return locations per population segment, which must primarily consist of return points and return centers, and the take-back capacity per regional county municipality (RCM) or equivalent territory. Retailers that sell products in deposit-refund containers and have a sales area exceeding 375 m² (4,036 ft²) must participate in this network, either individually or in collaboration with other retailers, while complying with specific criteria. These return locations may be located within their store premises or in separate infrastructure. In addition to the return locations established by retailers, the network is supplemented by other return locations, installed and managed by the DMB. Producers, represented by the DMB, are required by regulation to install and manage at least 400 return locations across the province by March 1, 2027. To facilitate consumer returns of deposit-refund containers, all types of containers are accepted at all return locations, including RCs, which must be handled in a manner that allows for reuse.

Servicing of on-site consumption establishments and isolated or remote territories

The Designated Management Body (DMB) must offer a redeemable container collection service to on-site consumption establishments such as restaurants, bars, and hotels, and to institutional food services. The service is rolled out it two phases, as follows:

  • Locations with seating capacity in excess of 75 must be serviced by the DMB no later than November 2023;
  • Locations with seating capacity of 20 or more must be serviced by the DMB no later than March 2025.

Operational procedures must be discussed beforehand and formally agreed between the DMB and representatives of the on-site consumption establishments. The various types of establishments must also participate in the redeemable container collection service.

The DMB is not obliged to serve establishments with seating capacity of less than 20. They are, however, required to participate in the deposit-refund system by returning empty containers to the nearest return location, or request personalized collection, if such a service exists and has been approved in advance by the DMB.

The DMB and representatives of isolated or remote territories shall also together determine the operational procedures and financial arrangements covering the agreement to service these areas, bearing in mind each territory’s distinctive characteristics. The isolated or remote territories at issue are the MRC de Minganie, the MRC de Caniapiscau et du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent, the James Bay region as described in the Schedule of the James Bay Region Development Act, and the territory of the Kativik Regional Government, as set out in section 2 (V) of the Act respecting Northern villages and the Kativik Regional Government, V-6.1

Mandatory producer outcomes

The DMB must achieve performance level outcomes that are subject to annual audit. If the DMB does not achieve the prescribed outcomes in any given year, it will be obliged to submit a remediation plan to the government and invest funds in an amount set by regulation to implement the measures stipulated in the plan in order to achieve the prescribed outcome rates.

The traceability of residual materials must be ensured up to their final destination so that they are considered in the calculation of the achieved performance rates, which will encourage the growth of local and neighbouring market solutions. Landfilled residual materials, residual materials subject to utilization for energy purposes or that undergo biological treatment cannot be calculated in the performance rate except if treatment occurs in remote or isolated territories.

Prescribed Outcomes–Deposit-Refund System

Type of container Recovery Reclamation1 Local reclamation2 Recycling3
2026 2028 2030 2032 2026 2028 2030 2032
Metal 75% 80% 85% + 5%
every
two years
up to
90%		 75% 80% 85% + 5%
every
two years
up to
90%		 80% in 2026 50% in 2026
Plastic 55% 75% 80% 53% 73% 78% 80% in 2026 50% in 2026
Glass and other breakables 60% 75% 80% 58% 73% 78% 90% in 2026 50% in 2026
Multilayer (fibres) - 65% 70% - 60% 65% 80% in 2027 50% in 2028
Bio-sourced4 - 75% 80% - 73% 78% 80% in 2028
Reusable glass and other breakable materials 85% 90% 90% 90% 90% 90% 90% in 2026 50% in 2026
Reusable containers made of other materials4 - 75% 80% - 90% 90% 80% in 2028
Overall 70% 80% 85% 65% 75% 80%    

1 For reusable containers, the rate corresponds to the reclamation of spent containers previously reused at least 10 times, on average.
2 A maximum of 30% of the total weight of residual materials sent to a local reclamation site can be deemed reclaimed locally but in fact, processed elsewhere than in Québec for the purposes of achieving the overall local reclamation rate. Reclamation is deemed local if occurring in Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
3 Recycling is defined as the reclamation of residual materials for the manufacture of new containers, packaging, or printed matter in order to promote closed-loop circularity.
4 The recycling rates applicable to "Bio-sourced" containers and "Reusable containers made of other materials" are the same as those for the type of material to which they are comparable. For example, a bio-sourced plastic container is subject to the same recycling rate as plastic containers.

Documentation

Statute and Regulation

Additional information

Topical factsheets

Documents produced under the mandates of the working groups