Quebec overhauled its bottle deposit-refund system. Is it working? | CBC News

Thousands of machines were removed from retailers to standardize Consignaction sorting centres

In less than three years, Consignaction changed how Quebecers return empty beverage containers and get paid for it.

With the help of the province, the company has centralized Quebec’s bottle deposit-refund system by removing thousands of return points from retailers.

Instead of using the bottle deposit machines usually found in grocery and convenience stores across the province, people can now go to two types of sorting centres: Consignaction, for single-unit returns, and Consignaction+ for bulk deposits.

Since the rollout of its first phase in 2023, Consignaction’s new system has received mixed reviews; some users love it, others, not so much. 

CBC spoke with some users, waste management experts and the company behind the new system. Here’s a breakdown of what’s working and what needs improvements. 

Before Consignaction took over the network, empty containers could be returned to thousands of businesses participating in Quebec’s deposit-refund system. 

Many of these return points, often located within walking distance to users, are now gone, and only 172 Consignaction sorting centres have opened in their place. 

Karel Ménard, executive director of the Quebec Common Front for Ecological Waste Management, says that’s not nearly enough to meet the needs of Quebecers. 

“We used to have around seven to eight thousand depot centres: confectionery, retail stores and so on. It wasn’t perfect, but we had a lot,” he said. “We have billions more containers but thousands less deposit centres.” 

Bottle deposit machines are being removed from some Quebec grocery stores. Here's why

Ménard says this creates two outcomes: long lineups at centrally located return points or “access deserts” for people living in areas where a Consignaction isn’t easily accessible.