In under three years, Consignaction revolutionized the process of returning empty beverage containers for refunds in Quebec. Collaborating with the province, the company revamped Quebec’s bottle deposit-refund system by consolidating return points previously scattered across various retailers.
Rather than utilizing traditional bottle deposit machines commonly found in stores throughout Quebec, individuals can now visit two primary types of sorting centers: Consignaction for individual returns and Consignaction+ for bulk deposits. Since the initial phase launch in 2023, Consignaction’s new system has garnered mixed feedback, with some users embracing the change while others expressing dissatisfaction.
Feedback from users, waste management specialists, and the company itself indicates both positive aspects and areas for improvement within the updated system. Prior to Consignaction’s intervention, numerous businesses served as return points for empty containers within close proximity to consumers. However, the transition has seen the closure of many of these sites, replaced by only 172 Consignaction sorting centers across the province.
Karel Ménard, the executive director of the Quebec Common Front for Ecological Waste Management, highlights the inadequacy of the current number of sorting centers to meet public demand, emphasizing the necessity for at least 2,000 deposit-refund centers to ensure efficiency. Some users, like Marie Claude, who frequents a Consignaction location in Montreal, have experienced long wait times, attributing the delays to limited machine availability and occasional malfunctions.
Consignaction acknowledges the challenges faced during the transition, citing them as typical hurdles in any new system implementation. To address issues promptly, the company has deployed staff at Consignaction+ locations to assist with the deposit process and equipment maintenance, aiming to alleviate long queues. Les Valoristes Co-op, an organization supporting marginalized individuals reliant on collecting cans and bottles for income, notes barriers created by the new model, particularly machine malfunctions affecting daily earners.
Consignaction offers alternatives for reimbursement in case of machine failures, such as app-based refunds or redeemable coupons valid at other locations. Despite these solutions, concerns persist among stakeholders like Marica Vazquez Tagliero, underscoring the importance of accessible and functional return systems for daily earners. The organization has established its bottle depot to cater to this demographic, observing increased engagement post-removal of return points from retailers.
While some users find the new system favorable, preferring the dedicated service over traditional store returns, others face challenges with accessibility and operational issues. Consignaction aims to expand its network by opening more deposit facilities and modernized return points within retailers by March 2027. This final phase will extend the system to include all glass containers, wine and spirit bottles, as well as milk and juice cartons.
