Alberta has reclaimed its title as Canada’s top province for beverage container recycling, returning more than two billion containers in 2024.
The province’s return rate reached 85 per cent, surpassing the national average of 76 per cent.
Saskatchewan followed closely at 84 per cent, while British Columbia hit 83 per cent. Ontario trailed at 75 per cent, and Quebec recorded a return rate of 68 per cent.
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Alberta is also climbing North American rankings, moving from ninth place in 2016 to second in 2022 and 2024. It now only trails Oregon, which leads with an 87 per cent return rate. The U.S. state accepts fewer container types. Meanwhile, Alberta recycles a wider variety, including plastic, metal, glass, juice boxes, milk cartons, and pouches.
“Albertans are winners, and these results prove it,” said Rebecca Schulz, minister of environment and protected areas. “My call to Albertans is simple: when you are finished with your cans and bottles, recycle. Put money back in your pocket. And keep helping your fellow Albertans beat the competition.”
Alberta’s success is driven by its 219 bottle depots, which provide refunds in exchange for used containers. Depots sort, count, and ship recyclables for processing.
Kulwant Dhillon, board chair of the Alberta Bottle Depot Association, credited the province’s recycling framework for the strong results.
“Bottle depots are the frontline and backbone of Alberta’s recycling success, providing convenient, accessible and community-focused beverage container collection services,” said Dhillon.
“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.”
Alberta’s deposit system includes more than 150,000 types of non-refillable beverage containers. The province continues to push for even higher recycling rates in the years ahead.
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