New Brunswick redemption centres accept and issue refunds for the empty containers of ready-to-drink beverage products you have purchased in the province that are deposit-bearing. Deposit-bearing means that you paid a deposit fee upon purchase on top of the price of the item.
You get a full refund on the deposit fee for refillable glass beer bottles that you return to your local redemption centre. Refillable glass beer bottles are sent back to local breweries, cleaned, sterilized, and refilled.
You get a 50% refund on the deposit fee for all recyclable beverage containers (plastic bottles, non-refillable glass bottles, aluminum cans, steel cans, plastic pouches, drink boxes, Tetra & gable top containers, etc.).
PLASTIC
ALUMINUM
BEVERAGE CARTONS
GLASS
STEEL AND POUCHES
REFILLABLE
Accepted Beverage Containers
(Deposit-Bearing)
Deposit paid = Refundable
The types of beverages covered by the Beverage Containers Program are:
- water and flavoured water
- fruit and vegetable juices
- beverages with dairy (such as milk shakes, milk protein shakes, coffee drinks, drinkable yogurt, drinkable kefir, eggnog)
- plant-based milk alternative beverages not labelled as “fortified”
- plant-based milk alternative beverages labelled as “fortified” along with the warning “not a source of protein”
- sports drinks (such as protein drinks, energy drinks and electrolyte beverages)
- nutritional supplements not labelled as “meal replacements” or “formulated liquid diets”
- soft drinks
- beer, wine, and spirits
- low alcohol drinks
- cannabis beverages
- other types of beverages not explicitly listed as not included
Non-Accepted Beverage Containers
(Not Deposit-Bearing)
No deposit paid = Non-refundable
The following types of beverages are not included in the Beverage Containers Program (no deposit) at this time:
- apple cider that has not been heated, pasteurized or otherwise processed
- milk and flavoured milk, as defined under the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations (also applies to goat’s milk)
- plant-based milk alternative beverages that are labelled as “fortified”
(Note the following exception: if a milk alternative is labelled both as “fortified” and “not a source of protein,” then it is included in the Beverage Containers Program and a deposit is charged.) - nutritional supplements labelled as “meal replacements” or “formulated liquid diets”
- infant formula (labelled as “infant formula”)
- concentrated beverages (must be mixed or diluted before drinking), such as powdered or frozen juices, cocktail mixers, syrups, condensed milk, creamers, coffee or tea concentrates, extracts and flavour enhancers
- beverages in containers greater than 5 litres
- beverages purchased outside of New Brunswick
New Beverage Containers Accepted at Redemption Centres
In April 2020, new types of beverage products were added to the Beverage Containers Program. You may not be used to returning these containers, so have a quick look at our handy visual guide to make sure you start adding these containers to your recycling bin and bringing them to your local redemption centre for a refund on the deposit paid.
How Can I Be Sure a Beverage Container Is Deposit-Bearing?
Check your receipt for the deposit fee upon purchasing the beverage product. If you paid a deposit on the beverage product, you can return its empty container to a redemption centre. Please also note that you must have purchased the beverage product in New Brunswick.
What Do I Do With Other Containers?
Only deposit-bearing beverage containers are accepted at New Brunswick redemption centres. Beverage containers that are not deposit-bearing beverage containers, as well as all other types of empty recyclable containers (food, household cleaning products, etc.), are the responsibility of your local waste management program – check with your Regional Service Commission. Some offer a blue box or blue bag program while others do not separate recyclables from other waste streams.
Recycle NB oversees the collection and recycling of tires, electronics, paint, oil and glycol. More information on recycling these products is available on the Recycle NB website.