Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the deposit-return program?
Q2. What kind of impact is the deposit-return program going to make to the environment?
Q3. When does the Ontario Deposit Return program come into effect?
Q4. What are the deposit rates?
Q5. Why did the government choose The Beer Store to handle returns? Why not the LCBO?
Q6. Can I continue to put wine and spirits containers in my Blue Box?
Q8. How do I find the closest return location for returning my containers?
Q10. Why do we have this new system — isn’t the Blue Box working?
Q11. Is there a limit to the number of containers I can bring back?
Q1. What is the deposit-return program?
Starting February 5, 2007, you will pay a deposit on all wine and spirit containers. These deposits will be refunded when you return the containers to The Beer Store. The Ontario Deposit Return Program complements the Blue Box by raising our recycling rate.
Q2. What kind of impact is the deposit-return program going to make to the environment?
Returning your wine, beer and spirit containers will mean less waste will go to landfills and municipalities will have lower recycling costs. This represents a win for the environment, for municipalities and for Ontarians. The program will help divert about 25,000 to 30,000 additional tons of glass from landfills — the equivalent of about 80 million bottles. It will also free up space in Blue Boxes, giving municipal governments the opportunity to expand recycling programs.
Q3. When does the Ontario Deposit Return program come into effect?
The LCBO and wineries will begin applying a refundable deposit amount to most beverage alcohol containers starting February 5, 2007. Only containers purchased in Ontario on or after this date are eligible for a refund. The deposits apply to glass, plastic, Tetra Pak, cans and Bag-in-Box containers.
Q4. What are the deposit rates?
Deposit rates are as follows:
Container Type |
Deposit Rate |
Glass or plastic (PET) containers, Tetra Pak, Bag-in-box less than or equal to 630 mL |
$0.10 |
Glass or plastic (PET) containers, Tetra Pak, Bag-in-box greater than 630 mL |
$0.20 |
| Aluminum and steel cans over 1 L | $0.20 |
| Aluminum and steel cans under 1 L | $0.10 |
| Containers 100 mL or under | No deposit fee, can be placed in Blue Box |
Q5. Why did the government choose The Beer Store to handle returns? Why not the LCBO?
Diverting waste from landfills is a key environmental initiative that has strong public support. To get the deposit return program up and running as quickly as possible, the government chose to use The Beer Store’s existing and successful return system for other beverage alcohol containers. LCBO stores were not designed to handle returns.
Q6. Can I continue to put wine and spirits containers in my Blue Box?
All Ontarians are encouraged to participate in the new program in order to help protect our environment. A public education campaign will be launched soon to let people know how the deposit return program will work.
Q7. Won’t it be inconvenient for people who don’t drink beer to return wine and spirit bottles to The Beer Store?
The Beer Store has a bottle refund system in place that works very well. We want to build on that success. By returning bottles to The Beer Store you will be freeing up space in the Blue Box and giving municipalities the opportunity to expand their recycling programs.
There are 441 retail stores located throughout the province and, in many communities, the LCBO and The Beer Store are located very close to each other. Almost 70 per cent of The Beer Store outlets are located within one kilometer of an existing LCBO store. You will also be able to return wine and spirits containers to all locations that currently accept beer bottle returns, including rural empty-bottle dealers and agency stores. In all, over 800 return points will be available throughout the province.
Q8. How do I find the closest return location for returning my containers?
For store locations and hours, check The Beer Store’s website at www.thebeerstore.ca. You can also call their customer service number at 1-888-948-2337. An Ontario Deposit Return Program web site and toll-free phone number will be available soon.
Q9. If I purchased wine and spirits containers before February 5, can I bring those containers back to The Beer Store for a refund?
Containers that have been bought without paying a deposit are not eligible for deposit refund.
Q10. Why do we have this new system — isn’t the Blue Box working?
The Blue Box has been very successful, providing Ontario residents with an effective way to recycle a wide range of materials. However, the new program is an opportunity for an even better recycling result for LCBO and winery containers. By returning bottles to The Beer Store you will be freeing up space in the Blue Box and giving municipalities the opportunity to expand their recycling programs.
Currently about 68 per cent of these containers are diverted from landfill via the Blue Box. By the new deposit return program’s fifth year in operation, the government expects that 25 to 30,000 additional tonnes — the equivalent of about 80 million bottles — will not end up in landfill.
Q11. Is there a limit to the number of containers I can bring back?
While there is no limit on the number of wine, beer and spirit containers you can return at one time, we encourage customers to limit the number to 120 per visit. If you are returning a larger quantity than that, you may be asked to take them to designated bulk return locations. You can get more details by calling The Beer Store’s customer service line at 1-888-948-2337.
Q12. Will bars and restaurants have to be pay the deposit — and if so, will the cost of a drink or a bottle of wine increase?
Yes, bars and restaurants will be paying a deposit that they can return for a full refund just as other customers do. The pricing of drinks in licensed establishments rests with the individual bar or restaurant.
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Date Modified: January 2, 2007