Beverage
Containers

Beverage Recycling

All accepted refundable beverage containers have a 10-cent deposit refund.

Deposits are charged at the time of purchase and are later returned in full when the refundable beverage container is brought to a bottle depot for recycling. These deposits are set through BC Government legislation.

Accepted refundable beverage containers include:

  • Aluminum cans
  • Plastic bottles
  • Plastic cups
  • Drink boxes
  • Gable tops
  • Glass bottles
  • Bi-metal cans
  • Drink pouches
  • Bags-in-a-box
  • Liquor plastic
  • Liquor glass
  • Alcohol bags-in-a-box
  • Non-refillable liquor glass

When returning your beverage containers, we ask that you leave the aluminum tabs and plastic caps on to ensure all small pieces are properly recycled. Additionally, we ask that you please rinse your empties and refrain from crushing them.

For individuals wanting a refund without sorting their beverage containers, Nechako Bottle Depot offers Return-It Express. With Return-It Express, you can bring your unsorted containers in a clear plastic bag. By entering your registered phone number at our Express Kiosk, tags will be printed for your bags, and we’ll sort and count the containers. Your Express account will be credited with your deposit refund, which you can redeem through Interac e-Transfer or a mailed cheque. To register for a Return-It Express account, visit return-it.ca.

Because Return-It does not receive any government funding, the process of recycling these containers is paid for by consumers, retailers, beverage manufacturers, and Encorp Pacific. To help cover the net cost of recycling a beverage container, Encorp charges a Container Recycling Fee (CRF), which varies for each beverage container category. The CRF reflects the current economic conditions, and the most up-to-date information can be found at return-it.ca/beverage/recycling/crf/.