What Can You Return at an Alberta Bottle Depot? (Full List)
Aluminum, glass, plastic, Tetra Paks, pouches and more — here's everything that carries an Alberta deposit and earns you money back.
Wondering what you can recycle for money in Alberta? Almost every ready-to-serve beverage container sold in the province carries a deposit and can be returned for a refund. Here's the full list of what we accept.
Containers we accept
- Aluminum cans — pop, beer, energy drinks, sparkling water.
- Glass bottles — beer, wine, spirits, juice.
- Plastic (PET) bottles — water, pop, sports drinks.
- Tetra Paks & gable-top cartons — juice and milk-style beverage cartons.
- HDPE jugs — large juice and drink jugs.
- Drink pouches and bag-in-box — juice pouches, boxed wine bladders.
If it held a drink and was sold in Alberta, it almost certainly has a deposit. The exact refund depends on size — see the 10¢ and 25¢ tiers explained in our Alberta deposit guide, or check the refund rates page.
What we don't take
We can only refund containers that carried an Alberta deposit. Milk containers, food jars, and out-of-province containers are not refundable. When in doubt, bring it — we'll sort while you wait and hand back anything that doesn't qualify.
Do I have to sort or clean them?
No sorting required — our Tomra Essential Line does it for you. A quick rinse keeps the bees away in summer, but we won't turn you away over a sticky can. Labels and caps can stay on.
The fastest way to return them
For everyday loads, the drive-thru is quickest. For a big garage clean-out, use Drop & Go or book a free pickup. Running a fundraiser? A bottle drive turns all those empties into money for your cause.
Frequently asked
Do juice boxes and cartons count?
Yes. Tetra Paks, gable-top cartons, drink pouches, and bag-in-box all carry an Alberta deposit and are refundable.
Do I need to remove caps and labels?
No. Our sorter reads containers with caps and labels on, so leave them as-is.
Are milk containers refundable?
No. Milk containers don't carry a deposit in Alberta and are not refundable at the depot.
Drive-thru, Drop & Go, free pickup, or a bottle drive for your group — we make it easy.