REFUND RATES
What you get back, to the cent.
Alberta sets two deposit tiers, province-wide. Whatever you paid at the till, you get back at the depot — in cash.
Deposit amounts
1 litre or less
10¢/container
More than 1 litre
25¢/container
Industry-standard refillable beer bottles are always 10¢, regardless of size. Every BCMB-licensed Alberta depot pays the same rate — no fees, no membership.
We accept…
- Aluminum cans
- Glass bottles
- Plastic containers
- Tetra Paks
- Gable top cartons
- HDPE jugs
- Drink pouches
- Bag-in-box
About the rates
How refunds actually work.
How do I get paid?
At the counter and drive-thru we pay on the spot — cash or e-transfer. Drop & Go bags can be paid by cash or e-transfer once we've counted them. For pickups and bottle drives we count back at the depot — usually about two weeks — and pay by e-transfer or cheque. We don't count or pay at the time of pickup.
Who sets the deposit rates?
The Province of Alberta sets the deposit on every refundable beverage container sold here. Every BCMB-licensed depot pays the same amount — there's no haggling, no membership discount, no funny business. Whatever you paid at the till, you get back at the depot.
Do bigger containers really pay more?
Yes — but only if they're over 1 litre. Anything 1 L or under is 10¢; anything over 1 L is 25¢. A 2-litre pop bottle pays 25¢; a single 355 mL can pays 10¢.
What about industry-standard beer bottles?
Brown stubbies and tall boys in the industry-standard refillable format are always 10¢, regardless of size, because they go back to be reused. That's been the schedule since Alberta introduced it.
Are there ever surcharges or handling fees?
No. The deposit you paid is the deposit you get back — every cent. We don't take a cut. The depot is paid separately by the producer/collector network.
Can I bring containers from outside Alberta?
Unfortunately, no. We can only refund deposits on Alberta containers — those are the only ones eligible for a refund.
What if my containers are dirty?
We'd love a quick rinse — it keeps the bees and wasps off. But we won't turn you away over a sticky pop can.
Do you accept crushed cans?
Yes, but the count machine works best with un-crushed cans. If they're already crushed, we'll count them by hand — it just takes a touch longer.
Caps on or off?
Either's fine. The Tomra sorter handles both. We separate caps from bottles in sorting, so don't worry about peeling them off at home.
Do labels need to come off?
No — leave the labels on. The sorter reads bar codes and shape, and labels don't slow anything down.
What if I'm not sure whether something qualifies?
Just bring it. We sort while you wait, and we'll hand back anything that doesn't have an Alberta deposit. No harm in asking.