Bottle returns in CalgaryWhat your empties are worth.And what we accept.
Alberta pays a deposit on almost every drink container. Return them at our North Calgary bottle depot and get every cent back.
What are your empties worth?
Count roughly what's in the garage. Cans, small bottles and juice boxes are 10¢. Anything over a litre, like 2 L pop, big juice jugs or boxed wine, is 25¢.
1 litre or lessCans, small bottles, juice boxes, pouches
Over 1 litre2 L bottles, large jugs, bag-in-box
If it held a drink, bring it in.
Alberta's deposit system covers more than 150,000 beverage container types, far more than most provinces. Here's the short list.
Please leave at home
These aren't part of the beverage deposit program, so we can't pay a refund on them: containers for non-beverages (oil, cleaners, sauces), infant formula and meal-replacement containers, broken glass, and containers with liquid still in them.
Not sure? Bring it and we'll tell you on the spot.
Alberta recycles like nobody else in Canada.
Every bag you bring in is part of one of the best-performing deposit systems in North America: industry-run, self-funded, and over 50 years old.
containers returned to Alberta depots in 2025
BCMB 2025 Annual Reportin deposit refunds paid back to Albertans in 2025
BCMB 2025 Annual Reportin Canada for container return rates, about 85% vs a 76% national average (2024)
Government of Alberta, Apr 2025different beverage container types accepted in Alberta
ABCRCYour empties have a second life.
After we count and bundle your containers, they're collected and processed in Alberta, then sold as raw material for new products.
Back into new cans
Aluminum can be recycled again and again. Making cans from recycled aluminum takes roughly 90–95% less energy than starting from ore.
Ground into fibreglass insulation
Returned glass is crushed to a fine powder used to make insulation. Some of it ends up in Alberta homes.
Flaked into new resin
Bottles are baled, shredded and washed into plastic flake for new containers, fibres and products.
Recovered for paper fibre
Juice boxes and gable tops are baled and sent on so their paper fibre can be reused.
Bottle return questions.
What can I return at a bottle depot in Alberta?
Almost any drink container: aluminum and steel cans, plastic and glass bottles, milk jugs and cartons, juice boxes, drink pouches and bag-in-box. See the full list above.
Do I need to sort my containers?
No. Bring them mixed in bags or boxes and our team sorts and counts everything.
Why are some containers 10¢ and others 25¢?
In Alberta, eligible beverage containers 1 litre or less refund at 10¢. Containers over 1 litre refund at 25¢.
Why is recycling bottles and cans important?
It saves energy and raw materials, keeps containers out of landfills and off our streets, and turns your empties into new cans, insulation and plastic products. See where your empties go.
Do all bottle depots pay the same?
Yes. Alberta sets the deposit rates, so every depot in the province pays the same amount per container.
Bringing in a big load?
Call ahead at (403) 272-7766 so we can have a counter ready, or book a commercial pickup.
Running a business or a fundraiser?
We'll come to you, or help your group raise more.