- November 1, 2023: addition of non-returnable 100 ml to 2 l aluminium cans to the current returnable containers.
- March 1, 2025: extension of the deposit system to all other ready-to-drink beverage containers from 100 ml to 2 litres (examples: wine and spirits bottles, water bottles, multi-layer milk or juice containers, etc.).
The retailer in question is one whose sales area exceeds 375 m2 (4,036 ft2 ).
"Every retailer must, for each establishment the retailer operates in which products are offered for sale in a redeemable container, accept the redeemable containers that are returned to the retailer and refund the deposit amount, except if the area of the part of the establishment reserved for sales is equal to or less than 375 m2."
A retailer whose sales area is less than or equal to 375 m2 is no longer obliged to take back redeemable containers that are returned and to refund the associated deposit.
From November 1, 2023, the deposit system will be extended to all ready-to-drink aluminium beverage containers from 100 ml to 2 litres, and will continue to apply to soft drinks and beer containers that are already returnable. The extension to plastic, glass and cardboard beverage containers will follow in 2025.
From November 1, 2023, the words "Consigné Québec XX ¢ Refund" will no longer be required on returnable containers. However, it is compulsory to keep this statement on all returnable containers on the market until October 31, 2023.
It will be possible to sell off stocks of containers, labels and can tops bearing the words "Consigné Québec XX ¢ Refund" after November 1, 2023. However, producers are asked not to order lids and labels bearing these words after this date.
From November 1, 2023, the new deposit amount associated with a ready-to-drink beverage container sold in an aluminium, plastic or glass container, from 100 ml to 2 l, will be:
1) "$0.25 for non-refillable or refillable containers made of glass or another breakable material that are used to market, place on the market or otherwise distribute a product with a volume of not less than 500 ml and not more than 2 litres;"
2) "$0.10 for non-refillable or refillable containers made of glass or another breakable material that are used to market, place on the market or otherwise distribute a product with a volume of at least 100 ml and not more than 499 ml, and for other types of containers.”
3) "$0.10 for a plastic container of not less than 100 ml and not more than 2 litres that is used to market, place on the market or otherwise distribute a beer or soft drink, as well as those on which a voluntary deposit is applied under the current deposit system;”
4) "$0.10 for all aluminum and steel containers, regardless of the type of beverage or size;”
Note: For November 1st, the amounts are applicable to the targeted beverage containers only. Smaller or larger containers are not covered by the deposit.
Non-refilable beer containers (NRBCs) with a deposit of $0.20 will be refunded $at 0.10 as of November 1, 2023. Residents have been given 15 days to return beverage containers purchased before November 1, 2023 that were previously subject to a $0.20 deposit. After November 15, 2023, beverage containers previously subject to a $0.20 deposit will be presumed to bear a $0.10 deposit, regardless of the deposit amount indicated on the container.
With the entry into force of the new regulations, a new responsibility has been added to all retailers in terms of display obligations.
"Every retailer is required, for each establishment operated in which the retailer sells a product in a redeemable container, to post clearly, inside the establishment at the place where the product is offered for sale, the amount of the deposit for the container.
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."
" Every retailer with a sales area greater than 375 m2 is required, for each establishment operated in which the retailer sells a product in a redeemable container, to post clearly, in or at the entrance to the establishment, the address of the return site for that establishment."
If the surface area is less than or equal to 375 m2 , he must clearly display, in or at the entrance to his business, the address of the return site nearest to his business.
This obligation to display notices also applies to retailers whose businesses are located in isolated or remote areas.
Return site (Articles 31 to 33)
Retailers with a surface area of more than 375 m2 are considered to be return sites. In these circumstances, a return site must comply with the following requirements:
“1) it offers refunding on site, in cash, of the deposit for a redeemable container;
2) it has enough space for 2 persons at a time;
3) it is at a moderate temperature."
4) The manager of a return site may limit the number of returnable containers that a person can return there on each visit. However, this number may not be less than 50.
More information will be released shortly.