Provincial

Deposits on drinks in containers

Anyone selling a drink in a sealed container must collect a deposit of at least 10¢ per container, shown on the receipt — unless it is drunk on your premises. A business that makes a drink in BC is its “producer” and must be covered by an approved stewardship plan: for non-alcoholic drinks, register with Encorp (Return-It) and pay its recycling fee per container. There is no small-producer exemption.

Who issues it
BC Recycling Regulation (Encorp / Return-It)
Cost
2026 recycling fees: plastic 7¢, glass 13¢, aluminum 0¢ per container, on top of the 10¢ deposit the customer pays.

Do you need it?

You need it if

  • You make a drink in BC and sell it in a sealed container.

You don’t need it if

  • It is drunk on your premises.
Where this comes from

Sources

How to get it

  1. 1

    Sign Return-It’s appointment agreement

    Ask brandregistry@returnit.ca for it; signing it gives you a registrant ID.

  2. 2

    Register each container

    On Return-It’s brand registry: UPC, brand, start date, product type, flavour, material, volume and front and back photos.

  3. 3

    Charge the deposit

    At least 10¢ per container, shown on the receipt.

Where this comes from

Sources

Once you have it

  • Report sales and pay the recycling fees by the 7th of every month — a zero report when you sold nothing.
Where this comes from

Sources

Which businesses need it

Kombucha, juice & coffee makersFor drinks sold in containersBreweries, wineries, cideries & distilleriesMaking beer, wine, cider, mead or spirits.Grocers & specialty food shopsIf you sell drinks in containers

The rules behind this page

Last checked 5 November 2026. We check this guide regularly against Island Health, provincial and municipal sources, but regulations and laws change often and we can’t guarantee it is complete or current. Confirm with Island Health and your municipality before you apply, build or sell.

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