Albertans recycled a lot last year.
New statistics have the province ranked at number one in Canada for the highest beverage container return rate. Officials say in 2024, Albertans returned over two billion cans, bottles and other containers, or 85 per cent of all non-refillable drink containers.
Nationally, the average for returns was 76 per cent.
Saskatchewan finished behind Alberta at a rate of 84 per cent, British Columbia was at 83 per cent, Ontario at 75 and Quebec at 68.
“Albertans are winners and these results prove it. My call to Albertans is simple: when you are finished with your cans and bottles, recycle,” says Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz. “Put money back in your pocket. And keep helping your fellow Albertans beat the competition.”
Alberta ranked second for all of North America, trailing only behind the state of Oregon, which had a rate of 87 per cent.
Officials note the state only returns plastic, metal and glass drink containers. Meanwhile, Albertans return a wider variety of containers, like plastic, metal, glass, aseptic carton packages such as juice boxes, bag-in-a-box containers like boxed wine, gable tops such as milk paperboard cartons, as well as pouches such as those used for juice.
“Bottle depots are the frontline and backbone of Alberta’s recycling success, providing convenient, accessible and community-focused beverage container collection services,” says Kulwant Dhillon, board chair of the Alberta Bottle Depot Association.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Alberta’s 219 depot operators, collaboration amongst industry partners, and a regulatory framework that encourages depots to invest in great customer experiences and Albertans to return their beverage containers.”
Officials say Alberta recycles over 150,000 different types of non-refillable drink containers that are sold in the province. There are 219 depots in Alberta that offer a refund if you exchange a used, empty beverage container.
