How Do Bottle Depots Work in Alberta?

Alberta introduced the beverage container deposit system over 50 years ago to decrease litter. Today the deposit system diverts billions of containers from the landfills each year.

When you buy a ready-to-drink beverage in Alberta, an extra $0.10 or $0.25 cents is added to the price, called a deposit. When you return these containers to your local bottle depot, you’ll get this deposit back as cash in your pocket.

Which Bottles, Cans and Milk Jugs Can You Return For Money?

The simplest way to remember what can be returned to an Alberta Bottle Depot is that they take ready-to-drink beverage containers only.

This is why Alberta Bottle Depots cannot accept items like soup cartons, glass jars, and concentrated juice containers, even if they use the same type of packaging as ready-to-drink beverage containers.

Return these to your local bottle depot

Any beverage container including (but not limited to):

  • Plastic pop bottles

  • Aluminum pop cans

  • Tetra brik juice containers

  • Juice boxes and pouches

  • Drinkable yogurt containers (like Yop)

  • Energy shot containers

  • Milk and juice cartons and jugs

  • Water bottles

  • Glass juice bottles

  • Wine bottles and boxes

  • Liquor bottles

  • Vegetable juice cans

  • Infant formula ready-to-feed bottles (like Enfamil)

  • Ensure nutrition shake container

  • Earthware takeout containers (in selected areas)

Recycle these in your blue bin

Any non-beverage container including (but not limited to):

  • Soup cartons

  • Yogurt tubs

  • Olive oil bottles

  • Laundry detergent containers

  • Mouthwash bottles

  • Tin food cans

  • Shampoo bottles

  • Glass food jars (baby food jars, pickle jars)

  • Windshield washer fluid containers

  • Juice concentrate containers

  • Egg white cartons

  • Takeout containers (other than Earthware)

Still feeling unsure about what can be returned? Reach out to your local Alberta bottle depot; they’re here to help.

How Much Do You Get for Returning Bottles and Cans in Alberta?

The refund for returning beverage containers is based solely on their size. Here's how it works:

  • For containers 1 litre or smaller, you get a 10-cent refund per container

  • For containers over 1 litre, you get a 25-cent refund per container

When you return your empties, you'll receive the amount you paid as a deposit. If you didn’t pay a deposit on a container, it isn’t eligible for a refund and should go into your blue bin instead.

Make the Best Out of Your Bottle Depot Trip

Before heading to your local bottle depot

  • Give your returnable beverage containers clean - remove all garbage from containers and give them a rinse with water

  • Keep the caps and labels on your containers for easy identification and returns

  • Make sure your containers are recognizable: don’t crush, flatten or tear your cans or jugs in any way that prevents the brand and information on the can from being read

  • Use clean bags and containers -  by removing all garbage, broken glass and sharps, you’re keeping depots (and their employees!) clean and safe

  • Be prepared to empty your bags or boxes onto one of our beverage sorting areas

  • Ask questions - if you need assistance or are unsure if a container is eligible for a refund in Alberta, ask a team member; they’re here to help

  • Be kind and courteous at all times - Bottle Depot employees work hard to move lines quickly and answer questions but may need extra patience and understanding on busy days

Many Alberta Bottle Depots offer perks like pickups and drop-off services, apps to pre-book your time, and incentives for bottle drives. Reach out to your local bottle depot to see how they can make your trip fast and easy.

Your Bottle Depot Returns Help the Planet and Your Community

Bringing your returnable beverage containers to your local bottle depot not only puts much-needed money back in your pocket but also reduces landfill waste and supports your community. 

Alberta Bottle Depots are individually owned and operated. They create jobs, support local organizations through donations for charities, hospitals, sports teams, and people in need and provide education and outreach to promote recycling and sustainability efforts. 

So, when you bring your bottles and cans back to a bottle depot, you're doing more than just getting a refund—you're helping to keep Alberta beautiful and helping your neighbours, too!

Celebrating 2 Billion Returnable Beverage Containers Saved from Landfills in 2023!

Alberta, you’re amazing. In 2023, you prevented over 2 billion containers from going to landfills - 84% of all returnable beverage containers. That’s impressive! Give yourself a pat on the back.

Find your nearest Bottle Depot