Beverage manufacturers must “accelerate the establishment” of new return locations for deposit-returnable containers, urged Environment Minister Benoit Charette during a surprise visit to one of these facilities on Tuesday.
Published at 0:00
“We need more of these centers, and we need them quickly,” he informed The Press as he left the Consignaction+ branch in the LaSalle district of Montreal.
“Currently, the pace is insufficient,” lamented the minister, increasing the pressure on the Quebec Association for the Recovery of Beverage Containers (AQRCB), the entity established by stakeholders in the beverage industry to oversee the expansion of the deposit system instituted by the Legault government.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESS
This was Minister Benoit Charette’s first visit to one of these new return locations.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESS
The minister commended the effectiveness of these new storage locations.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESS
These branches will facilitate the expansion of the deposit system.
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With just six and a half months remaining until the deadline, the AQRCB has managed to open only 10 Consignaction and Consignaction+ return locations out of the 200 it pledged to have in place by March 1, 2025. An additional 200 are to follow by 2026.
“The March 1, 2025, deadline is not imposed by the government,” the minister reiterated, noting that it was the beverage manufacturers who requested the delay to extend the deposit to glass containers, like wine bottles, multilayer containers used for items such as milk, and all non-depositable plastic containers, including water bottles.
It is expected that beverage manufacturers comply with the deadline that they themselves have proposed.
Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks
Beverage manufacturers have “regulatory and legal obligations” regarding the management of the deposit system, Minister Charette stressed, reminding that any negligence could result in penalties.
Deployment plan imminent
The deployment plan for these new return locations, which will alleviate the burden on businesses that accept returnable containers, such as grocery and convenience stores, must be submitted by the AQRCB to Minister Charette “in the coming weeks,” he indicated.
“We expect the AQRCB to keep the public informed about this deployment plan,” he added.
In October 2022, the AQRCB was tasked with managing the new Quebec deposit system for beverage containers by the Société québécoise de récupération et de recyclage (Recyc-Québec).
In February 2024, the organization sought a loan guarantee from Quebec, indicating it was encountering “significant difficulties in securing the necessary financing” to open the new return sites, a request that was denied in May.
The first return location, originally anticipated to open in December 2023, eventually commenced operations in April 2024 in Granby.
Read “New centre for returnable containers: “It’s great, we’re not waiting any longer””
Efficient system
The operation of the Consignaction branches was regarded as “very interesting” by Minister Charette, who experienced one of these new return locations for the first time on Tuesday.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESS
Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks
It’s straightforward for the citizen, very, very easy.
Benoit Charette, on the operation of the new Consignaction return locations
The minister expressed frustration only with the English display on some devices, after emptying a bag full of aluminum cans onto them.
The LaSalle branch, which has been open since July 22, was quiet during the minister’s visit, accompanied by his parliamentary assistant, Agnès Grondin, the MP for Argenteuil.
The two officials had the full attention of the attendant, who explained the facility’s operation, briefly interrupted by calls from his supervisors asking him to direct the minister’s inquiries to them and not to show him the back area for security reasons.
The AQRCB declined an interview with The Press and stated in an email from a public relations firm that the pace of opening return locations would be expedited, without providing further details.
Quebec’s Beverage Container Deposit System: Speeding Up Return Locations
Beverage manufacturers must “speed up the pace” of opening new return locations for deposit-returnable containers, urges Environment Minister Benoit Charette, who made a surprise visit to one of these establishments on Tuesday.
Published at 0:00
Minister’s Urgent Appeal
During a visit to the Consignaction+ branch in LaSalle, Montreal, Minister Charette emphasized the need for more return centers. “We need more of these centres and we need them faster,” he stated to The Press. The current rate of establishment is not meeting the demands, prompting the minister to increase pressure on the Quebec Association for the Recovery of Beverage Containers (AQRCB).
Current Implementation Status
As of now, the AQRCB has only opened 10 return locations, significantly below the pledged 200 locations by March 1, 2025, with plans to add an additional 200 by 2026. Minister Charette expressed concern, stating, “Currently, it’s not fast enough,” indicating that the timeline needs revision to meet consumer needs.
Regulatory Framework
According to Minister Charette, beverage manufacturers have “regulatory and legal obligations” surrounding the deposit scheme. Any non-compliance may lead to penalties. He highlighted the importance of adhering to the March 1, 2025, deadline, which manufacturers themselves requested during negotiations.
It is expected that beverage manufacturers respect the date deadline which they themselves have proposed.
Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment
Upcoming Deployment Plans
The AQRCB is expected to present a detailed deployment plan for new return locations “in the coming weeks,” which is intended to alleviate pressure on retail businesses that currently handle returnable containers.
The management of the new Quebec beverage deposit system was handed to the AQRCB by Recyc-Québec in October 2022. However, in early 2024, AQRCB’s request for financial backing from Quebec was denied, complicating their ability to open new return sites.
Training for Effective Returns
Minister Charette praised the functionality of Consignaction branches, describing them as easy for citizens to use. “It’s simple for the citizen, it’s very, very easy,” he commented after observing operations at the LaSalle branch.
Visual Highlights
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE
This was the first visit of Minister Benoit Charette (center) to one of these new return locations.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE
The minister praised the effectiveness of these new storage locations.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE
These branches will allow the expansion of the deposit.
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The Way Forward
The commitment from beverage manufacturers and regulatory bodies is crucial for the success of this expanded deposit system. The timely rollout of new return locations will not only enhance recycling rates but also ease the burden on everyday consumers and businesses.
Benefits of an Efficient Deposit Program
- Increase in Recycling Rates: More return locations mean higher likelihood of consumers returning containers.
- Support Local Retailers: Streamlined processes help grocery and convenience stores manage returns more effectively.
- Environmental Impact: Reduces waste and promotes environmental sustainability through increased recycling efforts.
Practical Tips for Consumers
- Know Your Locations: Stay informed about new return sites as they are established near you.
- Schedule Returns: Combine your return trips with grocery shopping to save time.
- Keep Containers Clean: Rinse containers to prevent contamination and ensure a smooth return process.
Case Studies from Other Regions
| Region | Return Locations Opened | Within Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 600 | Yes |
| California, USA | 400 | No |
| Quebec | 10 | No |
First-Hand Experiences
Consumers who have visited the new Consignaction locations have shared positive feedback regarding their user-friendliness and effectiveness. One customer expressed, “I love how easy it is to return my bottles. It feels like I’m contributing to something bigger for the environment.”