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Return-It to accept milk and plant-based milk containers for refund come Feb. 1

Province-wide collection sites will accept items for a 10-cent deposit refund
returnitcollectioncheakamus
The Return-It Team is at the Cheakamus Centre in Brackendale, B.C.

On Feb. 1, British Columbians can recycle their rinsed and empty ready-to-drink milk and plant-based beverage containers at one of the 170 Return-It collection sites in the province. They will also receive a 10-cent deposit refund for their recycling.

Modified milk beverages — including oat, soy and almond milk — were not previously eligible for a 10-cent deposit refund. 

The new option comes after an amendment to B.C.’s Recycling Regulation. 

President and CEO of Return-It Allen Langdon said this will be an added incentive for residents to recycle responsibility, and as a result, keep plastics and other containers out of landfills, oceans and waterways.

“B.C. continues to lead the way in protecting the environment and extended producer responsibility performance in Canada," said Allen Langdon, president and CEO of Return-It. “We encourage everyone to participate by returning their empty beverage containers for recycling. In B.C., we are fortunate to have many ways to return beverage containers for recycling and divert them from our natural environment.”

Although ready-to-drink milk and plant-based beverage containers will be accepted, some milk products are ineligible for 10-cent deposit refund. These items include any modified milk product, meal replacement beverages, coffee additives, whipping cream and drinkable yogurt.

“B.C.'s dairy processors are committed to environmental stewardship and supporting solutions that protect our environment and keep our planet clean,” said Tony Gusikoski, Chair of the Western Dairy Council, the association that represents B.C.'s dairy processors.

This deposit refund does not apply to beverage containers put in residential and curbside recycling bins. Return-It will only accept eligible beverage containers with best before dates after Feb. 1, 2022.