Modernization of Québec’s Deposit-Refund and Selective Collection Systems

• Advantages of modernization
• Key steps in the modernization process
• Press releases
• Regulatory impact
• Contact us

Deposit-refund and selective collection systems are being modernized under an extended producer responsibility (EPR) approach, whereby the entities that sell, market or otherwise distribute target products are responsible for managing them at the end of their useful life. This type of management allows for choice in the means selected to achieve the prescribed outcomes. RECYC-QUÉBEC has designated two management bodies, one for the deposit-refund system and the other for the selective collection system, to represent entities with respect to their obligation to develop, implement and fund each of the modernized systems. The two designated management bodies (DMB) are responsible for the oversight and support of target product management throughout the value chain in Québec, including recovery and reclamation.

Advantages of modernization

The modernization of the twinned systems seeks to ensure the efficient management of all containers, packaging, and printed matter marketed or distributed in Québec, as they will be processed at high-performance recovery and reclamation industry locations. Modernization will:

• expand producers’ responsibility for the products that they market;
• reduce the vulnerability of stakeholders in the Québec value chain to market fluctuations;
• harmonize recovery and reclamation operations throughout Québec;
• reduce the quantities of containers, packaging, and printed matter sent for disposal, increase the recovery and reclamation rate, and maximize the quantities reclaimed locally;
• provide for measures to optimize systems so as to harmonize, innovate and develop local and neighbouring market solutions in order to supply businesses, create wealth, and contribute to the development of the circular economy;
• ensure recovery services for all generators of residual materials, including the industrial-commercial-institutional (ICI) sector, which will ultimately have to participate in the new system;
• foster the eco-design of products to facilitate their recovery and reclamation;
• enhance Quebecers’ trust in the system and maintain expertise concerning the recovery and reclamation of containers, packaging, and printed matter;
• enhance the traceability of residual materials up to their final destination, ensure improved monitoring and promote greater transparency and enhanced performance responsibility in the deposit-refund and selective collection systems;
• protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Key steps in the modernization process

1. March 17, 2021: The Act to amend mainly the Environment Quality Act with respect to deposits and selective collection was passed
2. January 26 to March 11, 2022: A public consultation was conducted on the two draft regulations that respectively aimed at the modernization of the deposit-refund system and the selective collection system
3. July 7, 2022: Both regulations came into force
4. October 24, 2022 : Designation of both Management Bodies by RECYC-QUÉBEC (French).
   • Selective collection: Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ)
   • Deposit-refund : Association québécoise de récupération des contenants de boissons (AQRCB)
5. November 1, 2023: Rollout of the expanded deposit-refund system for 100 ml to 2 l ready-to-drink beverage containers
6. November 1, 2025: Inclusion of multilayer containers in the deposit-refund system
7. January 1, 2025: Full rollout of the modernized selective collection system

Rollout of the modernized selective collection system (PDF, 154 KB)

Inclusion of 100 ml to 2 l ready-to-drink beverage containers in the deposit-refund system (PDF, 70 KB)

Press releases

• Latest stage completed in the modernization of the deposit-refund and selective collection systems (French, June 14, 2022)
• Bill 65 adopted—Québec materializes its reform of the deposit-refund and selective collection systems (French, March 12, 2021)
• The Gouvernement du Québec tables the draft bill that kicks off the expanded deposit refund and selective collection modernization systems (French, September 24, 2020)
• Québec announces a reform of the selective collection system and injects $30.5 million to support modernization (French, February 11, 2020)
• Québec moves forward with expanded deposit-refund (French, January 30, 2020)

Regulatory impact

• Analysis of the regulatory impact of the deposit-refund and selective collection regulations (French, PDF, 1,4 MB)

Contact us

Please email queries to infoconsigne-collecte@environnement.gouv.qc.ca.