FAQs

What happens to drink boxes and other paper-based cartons (such as Tetra Pak) after they’re returned to the depot?

The cartons go to Atlantic Packaging in Ontario. The mill recovers the paper fibre, which makes up 75-80% of the carton’s content. Testing is underway to find uses for the remaining plastic and metal that is separated from the fibre. The fibre is used to produce high-quality ivory paper for the paintable side of gypsum wallboard. The Ontario mill is one of the largest producers in North America of this type of paper.

Are milk jugs and cartons included in the deposit system?

As of June 1, 2009, milk containers have been made part of the deposit system.

Why do I have to take the caps off but leave the labels on my containers?

The label must remain on the container as the bottle depot must be able to reasonably identify the container as having contained a beverage and the label is the best identifier.

Container caps have historically been manufactured from a different material than the body of the container and act as a contaminant to the material which impacts the marketability of the material. See Caps Off for more information on what you can do with your plastic caps to help recycle them and raise funds for the Rainbow Society of Alberta.

How do I know what beverage containers to save?

Most ready-to-drink beverages sold in Alberta are included, with the exception of oil-based coffee creamer containers.

There are two deposit levels:

• 10¢ for containers up to and including 1 litre
• 25¢ for containers over 1 litre

Where do I take them?

Take them to any Bottle Depot located in your area, or use the depot list to find the nearest location to you. Alternatively, you may want to hold onto your containers so that they are ready when your community fundraising groups come knocking.