Quebec delays deposit system for glass and multi-layer containers until 2027
Province investigating delays in expanded deposit return program
The Quebec government says it is postponing the implementation of the deposit system for glass and multi-layer beverage containers, such as milk cartons, by two years due to delays caused by the organization in charge of the initiative.
The new deposit system on glass and multi-layer packaging will instead begin in March 2027, while deposits on plastic water and juice bottles will proceed in March 2025 as originally planned.
Meanwhile, the province's environment minister is launching an administrative investigation into the Association québécoise de récupération des contenants de boissons (AQRCB) and Consignaction, the organizations responsible for implementing the deposit system reform.
Benoit Charette made the announcement Thursday during a media briefing at the National Assembly.
"AQRCB had made clear commitments regarding the deployment of return sites, and we are far, far from the mark," he said. "We were not ready on the network side to welcome these new containers."
Charette explained that in recent weeks, the government made "several requests for information" to Consignaction and its operator, the AQRCB, but "unfortunately" the ministry did not receive "an appropriate response."
The minister cited "the pace of deployment and certain elements brought to our attention" as reasons for initiating the administrative investigation.
"There are significant delays. We are far from where we need to be at this point," said Charette.
"This morning, we informed retailers that the implementation for plastic containers will proceed as planned, but there will be delays for glass and multi-layer containers."
Charette said that "80 per cent of the modernized deposit network will be operational by next spring."
The deposit system for glass and multi-layer containers is now expected to be delayed until March 1, 2027, according to the minister.
Right now, people can return aluminum cans to retailers or to refund centres known as Consignaction.
This expansion was supposed to add wine bottles, milk cartons and plastic water bottles to the list of things that can be returned there. Now the initiative is delayed for a third time. It was originally planned for Fall 2022. Then postponed until spring 2023. Then March of 2025.
Investigating compliance with regulatory obligations
In a news release issued Thursday afternoon, the ministry stated it had "initiated an administrative investigation to shed light on the AQRCB's compliance with regulatory obligations."
The investigation will allow the ministry to "invoke the powers granted under the Act Respecting Public Inquiry Commissions."
The ministry could summon "any person whose testimony is relevant to the investigation" and "compel the submission of documents and written materials necessary to clarify the situation."
The investigation could result in coercive measures, "including fines of up to $10,000."
In a joint news release, the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and the Association des détaillers en alimentation du Québec (ADAQ) welcomed the government's decision, considering that it allows for a more structured transition to the modernized system. Both organizations blame ARQCB for the delays.
"We were working really hard to find solutions, and it seems so difficult to push them forward," ADAQ CEO Pierre-Alexandre Blouin said.
AQRCB says investigation 'casts shadow'
AQRCB, which operates under the name Consignaction, was mandated in 2022 by provincial agency Recyc-Québec to manage the deposit system. This additional time will allow the consolidation of the collection network, accelerate the deployment of Consignaction return points, said Normand Bisson, Consignaction CEO, in a news release.
In total, 1,500 return points are planned in Quebec, 400 of which would be Consignaction return points. The others would be open in businesses.
For several months, Consignaction has been mobilizing considerable resources to support this major transformation, he said.
"This postponement is neither a failure nor an abandonment, quite the contrary," Bisson said. "It is an opportunity to consolidate a world-class system and network that will propel Quebec as an international leader in deposit returns."
Bisson said he was surprised by the administrative investigation ordered by Quebec.
"It casts a shadow over the important work we are doing, and this at a time when we are facing significant resistance from retailers," he said, noting his company has repeatedly told the province that it has no legal levers to speed up the conclusion of agreements.
Written by Isaac Olson with files from La Presse Canadienne, Radio-Canada and CBC's Steve Rukavina