Milk and Plant-based: Drink Box
One of the most common milk container types
| Size | CRF Fee | Deposit / Refund |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | No Fee | 10¢ |
How to Recycle Milk and Plant-based Drink Boxes
When recycling your milk and plant-based drink boxes, ensure that they are fully empty, and do not crush or flatten them. Put the straws back in, as they can be recycled alongside the container. Bring your milk and plant-based drink boxes along with your other ready-to-drink beverage containers to a Return-It depot to get your refund.
Milk and plant-based drink boxes can be recycled at all depots, including Express, Express & GO, and Express Plus locations.
To find a depot near you to recycle your drink boxes, visit return-it.ca/locations.
Plant and Milk-based Drink Box Deposit Refund
In BC, a deposit is charged for each ready-to-drink beverage container that is purchased. This deposit is returned in full when you bring back the empty container for recycling. Milk and plant-based drink boxes are issued a 10-cent refund along with the other accepted beverage containers part of the Return-It system.
For a full listing of all containers that can be returned to a Return-It Depot visit https://www.return-it.ca/beverage/products/.
How to Obtain Your Refund
If you sign up for Express, you can put all your empty containers inside clear, transparent bags (no larger than 90L in capacity). Simply bring the bag(s) to an Express location near you, label them, and drop them off. The funds will be issued to your Express account within 10 business days. To redeem the funds, you will need to log in to your Express account.
If you are using over-the-counter depots to return your containers, you will receive your refund in cash at the time of return.
What Happens to Recycled Milk and Plant-based: Drink Boxes
Around 60% of these polycoated containers are returned for recycling. Once returned, they're hydra-pulped to separate the paper, plastic and foil. The paper is turned into pulp and put to use again in paper products and as cardboard boxes. Thousands of tonnes of paper pulp are recovered in this process. For every ton of paper pulp recycled, approximately 17 trees are saved.