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Refillable Beverage Containers

A retailers' guide to the regulations

Pursuant to the Litter Control Regulations under the Environment Protection Act, all flavoured carbonated beverages must be sold in refillable bottles. Carbonated is anything that has a "fizz". That includes pop, but it is not just pop.

Carbonated water, if it is flavoured, must be in a refillable bottle. Remember, even if it is natural flavour, it is still "flavoured".

Soda water is simply carbonated water. If it has no flavouring agents added, it may be sold in non-refillable containers.

Tonic water is a type of flavoured carbonated water so it must be sold in a refillable bottle.

Other beverages that are not carbonated, such as fruit juice or iced tea, may be sold in cans or non-refillable bottles.

Quick Tips

• Watch for the words "carbonated" and "flavoured" on the label. If you see them both, the beverage must be in a refillable bottle.
• Check the ingredients. If you see "carbonated water" or "carbon dioxide", keep reading. If you also see any type of flavouring (even natural flavour) the beverage must be in a refillable bottle.
• "Refillable" is the other key word. If the bottle says "recyclable", "non-refillable" or "no-deposit - noreturn", it is not refillable.
• If the bottle says "return for deposit where applicable", it still may not be "refillable".
• If you are not sure, just ask. Call the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, Environmental Protection Division at (902) 368-5000.

This document is also available as a PDF file. [133KB PDF file]