Bottle Deposit Calgary: Refund Rates and Container Guide

Looking for clear Calgary bottle deposit information? Fish Creek Bottle Depot accepts eligible Alberta beverage containers and provides applicable deposit refunds after sorting and counting the containers.

The general Alberta refund is 10 cents for eligible containers of 1 litre or less and 25 cents for eligible containers over 1 litre. The refund is based primarily on container size and eligibility, not simply whether the item is made from aluminium, plastic, glass, or polycoat material.

Customers can return household collections, business containers, event returns, or fundraiser loads at our South Calgary depot. Fish Creek Bottle Depot also supports bottle drives and qualifying commercial pickup arrangements for larger volumes.

Whether you are comparing Alberta bottle deposit prices, checking a bottle can deposit, or searching for a bottle deposit near me, this guide explains the refund system, accepted container categories, preparation steps, and local return options.

Quick Summary

At a glance: Eligible Alberta beverage containers generally receive a 10-cent refund when they are 1 litre or less and a 25-cent refund when they are over 1 litre. Fish Creek Bottle Depot serves SE and SW Calgary from 15216 Shaw Rd SE.

Service Details

What We Offer

Main Service

Bottle deposit Calgary returns and refunds

General Refund - 1 L or Less

10 cents per eligible container

General Refund - Over 1 L

25 cents per eligible container

Accepted Formats

Aluminium, plastic, glass, polycoat, bi-metal and registered pouches

Best For

Households, businesses, schools, teams, charities and community groups

Location

15216 Shaw Rd SE, Calgary, AB T2X 2A1

Hours

Generally daily 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Confirm Sunday and holiday hours.

Trusted by Clients, Proven by Results

“Always in and out. They will also come out and help you bring in your bottles and wait in line with you until one of the counters are ready. Keep up the great work!”

– Patrick Jo

What Is a Bottle Deposit?

Bottle Deposit by your nearest bottle depot

A bottle deposit is a refundable amount charged when an eligible beverage container is purchased in Alberta. The deposit gives the empty container a cash value and encourages customers to return it to an authorized depot instead of discarding it.

When the container is returned, the depot confirms that it is an eligible registered beverage container, categorizes it by size and type, and pays the applicable refund. The material is then directed through Alberta’s collection and recycling system.

A deposit is different from a container recycling fee. The bottle deposit is refundable; the recycling fee may be non-refundable and helps support the cost of collecting and processing particular container types.

Related Fish Creek Bottle Depot services: Bottle Returns & Rates | Bottle Recycling | Bottle Drives | Bottle Pick Up

Alberta Bottle Deposit Rates

Eligible Container Size

General Deposit Refund

1 litre or less

10 cents

Over 1 litre

25 cents

These Alberta bottle deposit amounts apply to eligible ready-to-serve beverage containers registered and sold within the provincial system. Containers purchased outside Alberta, items that did not carry a provincial deposit, and non-beverage packaging are not eligible for the same refund.

Alberta Bottle Deposit Prices Explained

People compare Alberta bottle deposit prices when estimating the value of household bags, business collections, or a bottle drive. Once the number of eligible containers in each size category is known, a basic estimate is straightforward.

Example Return

Illustrative Refund

50 eligible containers at 10 cents

$5.00

100 eligible containers at 10 cents

$10.00

50 eligible containers at 25 cents

$12.50

100 eligible containers at 25 cents

$25.00

Mixed sizes

Calculated from the actual count in each category

These examples assume that every item is eligible and correctly categorized. The final payment is based on the depot count, registered container status, and size. Ask for clarification if you have a question about a particular item or count.

Bottle Deposit Alberta: How the Refund System Works

Stage

What Happens

Purchase

The customer pays the beverage price, refundable deposit, and any applicable recycling fee.

Storage

The empty container is kept until it can be returned safely to a bottle depot.

Return

The depot checks eligibility and sorts the container according to size and material.

Refund

The applicable 10-cent or 25-cent deposit is returned to the customer.

Processing

Containers move through Alberta's collection and recycling network for material recovery.

The bottle deposit Alberta system creates a direct reason to return beverage containers. It also gives schools, teams, charities, and community groups a transparent way to convert collected containers into fundraising revenue.

Bottle Can Deposit Returns

Bottle Can Deposit Returns

A bottle can deposit search usually refers to the refundable value attached to both beverage bottles and cans. Eligible aluminium cans commonly fall within the 1-litre-or-less category and generally receive 10 cents. Plastic and glass bottles may receive 10 cents or 25 cents depending on their volume.

A bottle/can deposit return may include pop cans, beer cans, energy drink cans, sparkling-water cans, water bottles, juice bottles, sports drink bottles, wine bottles, and other registered ready-to-serve beverage containers. Material alone does not determine the refund; size and program eligibility matter.

Deposit Bottle Containers Accepted at Fish Creek Bottle Depot

A deposit bottle must be a registered beverage container sold with an Alberta deposit. Fish Creek Bottle Depot accepts a broad range of eligible container formats. If you do not recognize the material or are unsure whether an item is refundable, bring it to the depot and ask the team.

What Is Not Eligible for a Bottle Deposit Refund?

Not every food, household, or packaging container belongs to the Alberta beverage deposit system. The product must be a registered ready-to-serve beverage container sold in Alberta with a deposit charged at purchase.

✓ Containers purchased outside Alberta that did not carry an Alberta deposit

✓ Concentrate-mix containers that require preparation before consumption

✓ Food jars, cooking-oil containers, household product bottles, and non-beverage packaging

✓ Coffee cups, disposable food-service cups, and unrelated household recycling

✓ Containers that cannot be identified because registered labels or markings are missing

✓ Garbage or non-container items mixed into the return

How to Prepare a Deposit Bottle Return

Preparing containers keeps the depot visit cleaner and more efficient. Empty each deposit bottle, give items with residue a quick rinse, and leave caps, tabs, and labels attached so the container remains recognizable.

✓ Empty every container before storing or transporting it

✓ Rinse milk containers and items with residue to reduce odours

✓ Leave labels, caps, and tabs attached for identification

✓ Flatten containers only when the label and registered markings remain visible

✓ Use strong bags, boxes or bins and handle glass carefully

✓ Keep garbage and non-refundable recycling separate

✓ Check current hours before visiting on Sundays or holidays

Bottle Deposit Near Me in South Calgary

Customers searching for a bottle deposit near me want a location that is easy to reach and transparent about refunds. Fish Creek Bottle Depot is located at 15216 Shaw Rd SE and serves SE and SW Calgary communities, including Midnapore, Shawnessy, Millrise, Somerset, Sundance, and nearby neighbourhoods.

The depot is generally open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, although Sunday and holiday hours may vary. Call before making a special trip, especially with a large business return, fundraiser collection, or load that may require pickup assistance.

Bottle Deposit Versus Container Recycling Fee

Charge

Refundable?

Purpose

Beverage Container Deposit

Yes, when an eligible container is returned

Encourages the customer to return the empty container

Container Recycling Fee

Generally no

Helps cover the net cost of collecting and recycling a particular container type

Customers sometimes expect the full amount paid at purchase to be returned. The depot pays the applicable bottle deposit refund, not the separate recycling fee. Recycling fees can vary by container material and size, while the general deposit refund uses the 10-cent and 25-cent size categories.

Why Return Bottle Deposits Regularly?

✓ Recover money already paid when beverages were purchased

✓ Reduce clutter in kitchens, garages, basements, and storage rooms

✓ Prevent odours, leakage, and broken-glass hazards from large accumulated loads

✓ Keep eligible beverage containers within Alberta’s organized recycling system

✓ Create a reliable collection routine for businesses and institutions

✓ Turn community collections into funding for schools, teams and charities

Regular returns are easier to transport and count than one very large, mixed load. Businesses may benefit from a designated storage area and a clear staff routine, while community groups can schedule returns around events or fundraising campaigns.

Why Return Bottle Deposits Regularly?

Why Return Bottle Deposits Regularly?

After the refund is processed, containers are sorted by material and prepared for transportation through Alberta’s recovery system. ABCRC oversees the collection and recycling of regulated non-refillable beverage containers returned through independently owned depots.

Aluminium, plastic, glass, and polycoat materials follow different processing routes because each material has different handling and recycling requirements. Returning containers through a depot helps preserve their value and supports a circular system rather than landfill disposal.

Industry Resource

Alberta Depot confirms that eligible beverage containers 1 litre or less receive a 10-cent refund and containers larger than 1 litre receive 25 cents. It also identifies refundable formats including aluminium, plastic, glass, polycoat, bi-metal and pouches.

Source: Alberta Depot – Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose Fish Creek Bottle Depot?

Fish Creek Bottle Depot provides straightforward container returns, sorting, counting, deposit refunds, bottle-drive support, and qualifying commercial pickup from a convenient South Calgary location. Customers can bring a few household bags or contact the depot in advance about larger organizational loads.

Our team serves both SE and SW Calgary and can help when a container format is unfamiliar or when a customer needs clarification about the applicable refund category. The location is near Fish Creek Pet Hospital and within easy reach of Midnapore, Shawnessy, Millrise, Somerset, Sundance, and surrounding communities.

Real Stories from Happy Customers

“I love this bottle depot I have been going here for the last 3 years and absolutely love this place. They are fast, efficient, and friendly! It’s so clean. Just went today and it smelled of cleaner floors were freshly mopped. The workers work hard. Keep it up!!”

– Katherine Cave

Bottle Deposit Calgary Service Area

Area

Communities and Notes

SE Calgary

Midnapore, Sundance, Somerset, Shawnessy, and surrounding communities

SW Calgary

Millrise, Evergreen, Bridlewood, and nearby neighbourhoods

South Calgary

Convenient for households, businesses, schools, and community organizations

Large Loads

Call ahead to discuss business pickup or bottle-drive transportation options

When Should You Return Your Containers?

There is no need to wait until bags take over a garage, storage room, or staff area. Regular returns reduce odours, limit leakage, make glass easier to handle, and simplify transportation. A consistent schedule is especially useful for businesses with vending machines or food service.

For a large event, fundraiser, move, or business cleanout, contact the depot before the final collection day. Fish Creek Bottle Depot may be able to discuss commercial pickup or bottle-drive truck support depending on the customer type, volume, location, and availability.

Return Your Bottle Deposits in Calgary

Looking for a bottle deposit Calgary service? Visit Fish Creek Bottle Depot at 15216 Shaw Rd SE, Calgary, AB T2X 2A1, Canada, or call 403-256-0845 with questions about eligible containers, refund rates, large loads, bottle drives, or commercial pickup.

Call Us Today: 403-256-0845

Bring your eligible beverage containers to Fish Creek Bottle Depot and recover the applicable Alberta deposit refunds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligible containers 1 litre or less generally receive 10 cents, while eligible containers over 1 litre generally receive 25 cents.

The general Alberta bottle deposit prices are 10 cents for eligible containers up to and including 1 litre and 25 cents for eligible containers over 1 litre.

The Alberta bottle deposit is refundable when an eligible container is returned. A container recycling fee may also be charged at purchase, but it is generally not refunded.

Registered ready-to-serve beverage containers purchased in Alberta qualify. Common examples include aluminium cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, milk jugs, cartons, bi-metal cans and drink pouches.

Many containers may be flattened to save space if the label and registered markings remain visible enough for identification.

Bottle/can deposit refers to the refundable value attached to eligible beverage bottles and cans. The general refund is determined by container size and eligibility.

Fish Creek Bottle Depot is located at 15216 Shaw Rd SE, Calgary, AB T2X 2A1 and serves SE and SW Calgary.

Yes. Leave caps, tabs and labels attached when returning beverage containers directly to a bottle depot.

Only containers sold with an Alberta deposit are eligible for the provincial refund. Items purchased elsewhere may not qualify.

Quick Details About Our Business

Business Detail

Publish-Ready Information

Business Name

Fish Creek Bottle Depot

Phone

403-256-0845

Address

15216 Shaw Rd SE, Calgary, AB T2X 2A1, Canada

Hours

Generally open daily 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Sunday and holiday hours may vary

Specialty

Bottle deposits, Alberta refund processing, sorting and beverage container returns

Website

https://fishcreekbottledepot.com/

Contact Page

https://fishcreekbottledepot.com/contact-us/

Written and Reviewed By

Written and reviewed by: Fish Creek Bottle Depot Team

Service information, collection availability, refund rates, and operating hours should be confirmed against current depot and Alberta program guidance before publication.

Last Updated: July 2026