

Drink up, Victoria, because your fridge could be full of a lot more moo-la than usual.
Starting February 1st, British Columbians will be able to return their ready-to-drink milk and plant-based beverage containers for a 10 cent deposit refund at local Return-It centres.
Containers must be clean and empty, and can include those such as dairy milk, and plant-based beverages such as soy, almond, coconut and oat.
The new refund program is due to a change in the provincial government’s Recycling Regulation Plan which now allows the above containers to be returned for cash.
Return-It notes that the following beverage containers will not be eligible for refund:
- Infant formula
- Meal replacements or dietary supplements
- “Concentrates” e.g. frozen or unfrozen juice concentrates, etc. that require one or more additives to transform it into a ready-to-serve drink
- Liquids that are primarily used for other purposes or are not meant primarily as a ready-to-serve drink (e.g. coffee cream and other coffee additives, whipping cream, buttermilk, broth, etc.)
- Liquids that are not typically considered to be milk or milk substitutes, but rather are modified, milk-derived or similar products, such as drinkable yogurt, kefir, etc. (typically consumed as a yogurt substitute).
Greater Victoria currently is home to 8 Return-It locations, and you can check out the full list here.