Refundable Deposits and Handling Fees

You can also download the following chart as a Printable PDF.

What do these terms mean?

Refundable Deposit – the money consumers get back when they take the empty containers to a licensed depot.

Non-refundable Handling Fee – money that is not refunded to consumers. It is used to pay for program operating expenses.

Surcharge – the total fee that is charged on each ready-to-serve beverage container. The surcharge is made up of the refundable deposit plus the handling fee.

Depot Handling Fee – non-refundable handling fee portion that is used to pay depots.

Processing Centre Handling Fee – non-refundable handling fee portion that is used to pay processing centres.

Administration Fee – non-refundable handling fee portion that is used to operate the program. This includes paying for the transportation of the empty containers from depots to processing centres and from processing centres to Brewers Distributing Ltd. for refillable beer bottles, advertising, general operation and maintenance, and future improvements to the Program.