By Greg Duncan

Local Journalism Initiative

I’ll be heading out to the grocery store today to buy some milk with receipt and milk jug in hand to claim my deposit on my milk jug. Yes, you heard or read that right, a ten-cent deposit on the milk jug itself. These days, with grocery prices being so astronomical, I check store receipts scrupulously to make sure that items match up with any marked specials that I have so carefully shopped for and should have been applied at checkout. We all know that an item often may be listed as ‘on special’, but once at the cash register, that special price hasn’t been applied somehow.  I’m that guy in line that makes sure that I am in a proper position to view the item prices as they are scanned and tallied. Regardless, things have slipped by me before and this time I did not notice a mystery item until I got home and surveyed my store receipt for good measure before tossing in the recycling bin as I always do.  And there it was, an item listed as a “consigne” with a price of 0.10 that followed the $4.69 I paid for a 2-litre plastic container of milk. I was surprised by this and exclaimed, since when is milk subject to a “consigne” or a deposit? It seems however that this has been happening since March of this year. Horror of horrors, I thought, how did I miss this? As mentioned, I’ve yet to test Quebec’s “new milk jug return system” but will be doing so toute de suite.

What I found when I started researching is that as of March 1, 2025, the province has expanded its deposit-refund system to include plastic ready-to-drink beverage containers, from 100 ml to 2 liters, including milk cartons. While the goal is to encourage recycling and reduce waste, some consumers like me feel like they’re being “milked” for extra cash. The 10-cent deposit per container means shoppers pay more upfront, though they can reclaim the amount by returning their empties.  For years, Quebec’s deposit system has covered beer and soft drink bottles, but now, the government is taking a broader approach. By 2027, nearly all beverage containers—including wine bottles and multilayer cartons will be included in the deposit system. The reaction has been mixed. Some consumers appreciate the environmental benefits, while others worry about the inconvenience of returning containers. Businesses are also adjusting to the new system, ensuring they comply with regulations while managing customer concerns.  Will this new deposit system truly encourage better recycling habits, or will it just feel like another hidden cost? Time will tell. What’s your take on it?  You can find more information at: https://consignaction.ca/en/les-bouteilles-de-boisson-en-plastique-maintenant-consignees.

For now, I leave you with a simple, but refreshing and timely recipe for a “Quebec” Milkshake that may help the new upfront deposit on your milk container go down easier.

Strawberry- Raspberry-Maple Milkshake

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cup raspberries 
• 2 tbsp. raspberry jam
• 2 tbsp. maple syrup
• 2 tbsp. water 
• 1 cup frozen strawberries 
• 2 cups of milk 
• 2 scoops of softened vanilla ice cream
   

 Preparation

1. Warm the raspberries with the raspberry jam or jelly and 2 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan set over a medium heat until soft and juicy, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Spoon most of the raspberry mixture into a blender. Spoon most of the remaining raspberry mixture into a tall serving glass; reserve about 1 tablespoon for the garnish.
3. Add the frozen strawberries, milk, maple syrup, and one scoop vanilla ice cream to the blender. Cover and blend on high until smooth and creamy.
4. Pour into the glass and top with another scoop of ice cream as well as the reserved raspberry mixture. Serve with a straw.