Concerns are growing about the future of Ontario’s bottle deposit and return system as more Beer Store locations close, leaving fewer easy places for people to bring back their empties.
“Where are people supposed to get their money back? They’re not going to drive an hour just to find a Beer Store,” said John Knock, president of UFCW Local 12R24, which represents about 6,000 Beer Store employees. “If nothing is done, the environmental impact could be huge.”
By the end of this year, more than 100 Beer Store outlets will have shut down, with even more expected to close in 2026.
The Beer Store, once the only place to buy beer in Ontario, is now competing with grocery and convenience stores that are allowed to sell alcohol. But most of these stores don’t take back empty cans and bottles. That’s supposed to change on January 1, when larger grocery stores will be required to accept returns in order to keep their liquor licence.
Whether that rule will actually be enforced is unclear. Since last fall, around 70 grocery stores more than five kilometres away from a Beer Store have been required to take empties—but only a few are following the rules. Some big chains have even suggested they’d rather stop selling alcohol than deal with bottle returns.
Michael Zabaneh, vice-president of sustainability at the Retail Council of Canada, said returning alcohol containers is expensive and difficult for stores. He pointed out that most grocery stores aren’t built to handle thousands of bottles and cans.
Last year, The Beer Store collected more than 1.6 billion empties, offering refunds of 10 cents per can and 20 cents per bottle. With fewer locations, some people may stop returning containers altogether.
For some, that’s just a small hassle. For others, it’s a serious concern.
Sandy, a senior returning empties at a Beer Store in Toronto, said she relies on the money to get by. “After rent and bills, I’m lucky if I have $140 left each month. This really helps me,” she said.
The Ontario government didn’t say if it plans to drop the grocery store return rule. But it praised the Ontario Deposit Return Program, saying it keeps litter down, saves money for consumers, and helps keep recycling rates high. The Beer Store will continue running the program across the province until at least 2031 as the system shifts.
