Cantley

By Trevor Greenway

Plastic is everywhere. 

From water and pop bottles to coffee lids and milk containers, Canadians – and Hills’ families – can’t seem to get away from single-use plastics. 

Despite a federal ban on single-use plastic bags, straws and cutlery in 2020, plastic continues to pollute the country – and plastic bottles are one of biggest contributors. According to Statistics Canada, of the 43,140 tonnes of plastic leaked permanently into the environment in 2019, over three-fifths (62.7 per cent) were used in packaging, with plastic bottles accounting for more than 5,595 tonnes. 

Stats Canada also found that only nine per cent of all plastic in Canada is recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills while the rest litters parks, beaches and neighbourhoods. 

Quebec is trying to change that. The province has been overhauling its recycling system since 2020 and is implementing a phased-in approach to expand its list of recyclable items. 

This is great news for families like the Merrills in Masham. With four on-the-go children, it’s safe to say the family goes through a lot of pop and water bottles throughout the year. 

Heather Merrill, the Low Down’s general manager, said that Quebec’s new Consignaction refund system, with its increased payouts, makes the headache of returning bottles finally worth it. 

“When the kids were little, we used to save the cans for them to bring in for candy money, but it wasn’t worth the trouble,” said Merrill. “The bags would sit outside for months until filled, which was super annoying: we’d have to separate the tall cans from the shorties, and in the summer, the wasps were all over the bags – all for about $12. No thanks. Into the blue bin with them.”

But with the amount received doubling – $24 bucks a bag – it’s more than “worthwhile,” according to Merrill, especially now that she has teens and goes through even more cans. Merrill said she is also excited about Consignactions’ new plastic bottle return program.

“Adding the plastic bottles to the return system was a great idea. Water bottles, coffee cream bottles, Black Fly bottles … all now go in a bag that can be returned for $18. We plan to find some outdoor bins to store them in until full [in order] to discourage the wasps, and so I won’t be annoyed by looking at the bags,” she added.

Consignaction launched in 2023, with the amount collected for aluminum cans doubling –  from five to 10 cents – and with the addition of the plastic bottle return program in March 2025. All glass, including wine bottles, will be phased in by 2027. 

How much can I get back?

All aluminum beverage containers from 100 ml to 2 L = 10 cents

• beer, pop cans
• ready-to-drink beverages: fruit juices, sparkling waters, flavoured waters, cocktails or small vegetable juices

All plastic ready-to-drink beverage containers from 100 ml to 2 L = 10 cents

• bottles of water, sparkling water, juice 
• any other beverage containers, such as flavoured water, spirits

Glass – certain 500 ml to 2 L glass bottles = 25 cents

• Presently, most Quebec-based craft brewery bottles, but check full returns list: www.consignaction.ca
• by 2027, all glass to be phased in 

Where can I return my bottles?

La Peche:

• Marché Masham – 245 Hwy 366 
• Beausoleil Luc Épicerie et Quincaillerie – 292 Ch. Pontbriand
• Le P’tit Magasin Général – 952 Ch. Cléo-Fournier

Chelsea

• Charles Family IGA – 1703 Hwy 105
• Marché Chelsea – 528-A Hwy 105

Cantley

• Charles Family IGA – 455 Montée de la Source

Gracefield:

• Marché Kelly Gracefield inc. (Metro) – 27 Rue Principale

By the numbers

• 43,140 tonnes of plastic leaked permanently into environment in 2019 in Canada
• 62.7% of leaked plastic from packaging
• 5,595 tonnes of plastic bottles in landfills
• 1.5 billion plastic beverage containers now returnable under Consignaction
• 5 billion items recycled annually is program’s goal
• 90% recovery rate is project’s aim
• 9% of all plastic recycled in Canada