You do your part most of the time, but what about those moments when recycling isn’t convenient? We’ve got you covered. Let’s ensure every bottle gets where it belongs.
With over 200 locations across Alberta, there's always a depot nearby. Drop off your empty beverage containers, score your refund, and feel good about making a difference. Find the closest depot now!
If you can’t reach a depot, your blue bin has you covered. Toss your beverage containers in and your municipal curbside program will ensure they go through the proper channels.
Don’t have time to visit a depot? No worries. Some services will pick up your empties for a small fee. You can even donate them to a local charity directly through an app. Making a positive impact has never been easier.
WANT TO TALK TRASH OR JUST TRASH TALK? DROP US A LINE!
Treat your empty drink containers right by helping them find new uses! Deposit refunds are based on container size: 1L and under is 10¢ and over 1L is 25¢
Finished with your pop, carbonated water or alcohol cans? Give used, empty aluminum cans a second life as new aluminum cans in less than 60 days!
Help your empty water or juice bottle find its way back to store shelves! Once broken down to plastic pellets, clear bottles are turned into new drink containers (or clothing in some countries).
If your empty pop container has a colourful dye in it, you can still recycle it! But first it’ll be broken down into pellets, and used in non-food grade plastics.
A once difficult product to recycle, your used juice box is now shredded, mixed with resins, and pressed into coverboard for building construction.
Once you’re done with your milk or juice, the containers can be broken down into their separate parts (paper and plastic), and come back as bath tissue, cardboard, writing paper, and more!
You might see your old tomato juice cans rolling down the road one day! Your empty bi-metal containers are smelted down and turned into car parts, rebar and grinding rods for mining.
Whether your old drink pouch or bag-in-box container had juice or a more adult drink, you can recycle it. The bladders are turned into alternative fuel sources, while the box is repurposed into cardboard or egg cartons.
Your empty wine, mineral water, or juice bottles can be used in a new home right here in Alberta! The glass is broken down to a fine powder and used in fiberglass insulation.
DO I HAVE TO MAKE A TRIP TO A DEPOT TO RECYCLE MY BEVERAGE CONTAINERS?
Alberta Depots are the preferred location to take your empties, but some Depots offer pick up services for your bottle drive, or convenient drop off options. Third-party pick up services are another option. If you’re feeling charitable, donate to a community bottle drive or local not-for-profit. As a last resort containers can go in your municipal blue bin. It doesn’t matter how you recycle, it matters that you DO.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I’M OUT AND ABOUT AND THERE ARE NO RECYCLING BINS IN SIGHT?
Keep it with you. Instead of trashing it “just this one time”, hold onto it until you do find a recycling bin - even if it means bringing it home. It may be a bit of an inconvenience, but the planet will thank you.
WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP BOTTLE RETURN TOP OF MIND AT HOME?
Setting up and maintaining a home recycling routine is key to making sure that every container is returned. Schedule a weekly or monthly reminder to return those containers to your local depot - whether it’s a note on your fridge or an alert your phone. Whatever works best for you!
IF I THROW AN UNCLEAN BEVERAGE CONTAINER IN THE RECYCLING BIN, DOES IT MAKE THE WHOLE LOAD UNRECYCLABLE?
No, but we know things don’t always go according to plan, so if you aren’t able to rinse out the container, go ahead and put it in the recycling. When in doubt, DON’T throw it out (in the garbage). And remember, you can also leave the caps on!
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING IN ALBERTA?
Recycling Guide: Containers You Can Recycle
Once you’re done with your milk or juice, the containers can be broken down into their separate parts (paper and plastic), and come back as bath tissue, cardboard, writing paper, and more!
