Muhammad Amanullah | September 8, 2026
MONTREAL: Quebec’s system for returning empty bottles and beverage containers for refunds has undergone major changes over the past three years, with the province introducing a centralised network operated by Consignaction with support from the provincial government.
The new system has received mixed reactions from consumers and experts. While some users say dedicated return centres are more convenient than the previous system, others complain about long queues, malfunctioning machines and a shortage of accessible return locations.
Old system replaced
Under Quebec’s previous deposit-return system, residents could return empty bottles and beverage containers at thousands of stores, grocery outlets and other businesses.
Many of these locations were close to residential neighbourhoods and within walking distance for consumers. Under the new system, however, a large number of the former return points have been eliminated.
Consumers now primarily use two types of facilities.
Consignaction centres are designed for people returning bottles and containers individually, while Consignaction+ centres are intended for customers returning larger quantities.
Only 172 centres currently operating
Since the first phase of the new system was launched, 172 Consignaction centres have opened across Quebec.
Experts argue that the number remains insufficient for the province’s needs.
Karel Maynard, executive director of the Quebec Common Front for Ecological Waste Management, said Quebec previously had approximately 7,000 to 8,000 locations where residents could return bottles and containers.
He acknowledged that the old system was not perfect but said consumers had far more options.
Under the new system, the number of return locations has fallen from thousands to a much smaller network even as the number of bottles and containers covered by the deposit system has increased.
Long queues frustrate consumers
One of the biggest complaints about the new system has been long waiting times.
Experts say the concentration of consumers at a limited number of centres, particularly in densely populated areas, has resulted in lengthy queues.
Marie-Claude, a customer who uses a Consignaction centre in Montreal’s Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough, said she has sometimes had to wait between two and three hours to return bottles.
She said two machines were not sufficient to serve the entire neighbourhood, leaving customers waiting in long lines.
Malfunctioning machines add to problems
Consumers have also complained about machines breaking down.
According to some users, when one of two machines stops working, the entire flow of customers is redirected to the remaining machine, causing queues to become even longer.
Some customers have also reported that certain machines run out of cash.
While electronic refunds are available, consumers may have to wait several days, and in some cases weeks, before receiving their money.
Consignaction responds
Consignaction says it is listening to complaints and suggestions from consumers and businesses.
Jean-François Lefort, the company’s vice-president of strategy, said the network was established only slightly more than two years ago and that technical and administrative difficulties during the transition should not be considered unusual.
He said the company was working to resolve problems as quickly as possible and that expanding the network could help reduce long queues.
Consignaction+ centres also have staff available to assist consumers with returns and provide support when machines malfunction.
Can collectors particularly affected
Among those most affected by the new system are people who collect empty bottles and cans from garbage bins and public spaces and return them for the deposit refund.
Often referred to as “binners”, these individuals include homeless and low-income people who rely on bottle and container refunds to help cover their daily expenses.
People associated with Les Valoristes Co-op say problems with machines running out of cash are particularly difficult for this group.
Cash remains important
Marisa Vazquez Tagliaro, a co-founder of the organisation, said many bottle and can collectors gather containers throughout the day and need access to cash on a daily basis.
She said that when a machine does not have cash available, collectors are forced to go through additional steps, creating difficulties for people who may have spent the entire night collecting bottles and cans.
Consignaction says customers can receive their refunds through its mobile application in such circumstances or receive a usable coupon.
The company says coupons issued when a machine is out of service can also be used at other centres.
Some consumers welcome the changes
Not everyone has been dissatisfied with the new system.
Some consumers say visiting dedicated bottle-return centres is more convenient than using machines previously located inside grocery stores.
Joseph Gonzalez and his spouse said they had started using a nearby Consignaction+ centre instead of returning containers at their local grocery store and had a positive experience.
They said machines at grocery stores were often out of order and staff were not always available to provide assistance, whereas dedicated return centres offered better support.
Expansion planned by 2027
The Quebec government has set Consignaction a target of opening at least 400 dedicated bottle-return centres and 800 modernised return points by March 2027.
March 2027 is also the deadline for completing the final phase of the province’s expanded deposit-return system.
During that phase, all glass bottles — including wine and spirits bottles — as well as milk and juice cartons will be incorporated into the deposit and refund system.
Experts say Quebec’s new system represents an effort to modernise the recycling of bottles and beverage containers, but its long-term success will depend on how effectively the government and Consignaction address basic issues such as accessibility, machine reliability and long waiting times.
For consumers, the success of the new system will ultimately be measured by whether returning a bottle or can becomes simpler and more convenient than it was under the system it replaced.
