Are milk jugs and milk cartons refundable in Alberta? (Yes, here's how)

Yes. A plastic milk jug over 1 litre pays 25¢ in Alberta, and milk cartons pay 10¢ or 25¢ by size. Ready-to-serve plant-based milks in those same containers are refundable too. At Sage Hill Bottle Depot (70 Sage Hill Plaza NW), bring them mixed with your cans and bottles, no sorting, and we pay the full deposit.

Quick facts — Sage Hill Bottle Depot · 70 Sage Hill Plaza NW, Calgary, AB T3R 0S4 · (403) 275-7003 · Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM · Sun 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM · Stat holidays 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM · Location & hours

Quick answer

Milk containers have been part of Alberta's deposit system since June 1, 2009. The refund follows the size of the container: 10¢ for 1 litre or less, and 25¢ for over 1 litre. Those are the amounts in Alberta's Beverage Container Recycling Regulation, and they are the deposit amounts on the current ABCRC Alberta Deposit & CRF Schedule, effective February 1, 2026.

The Government of Alberta set that June 1, 2009 start date when milk containers joined the program. The full rate table for every container we take is on our refunds & pricing page.

Milk jugs

ABCRC describes white translucent milk jugs as HDPE natural plastic. On the current deposit schedule, HDPE natural over 1 litre pays 25¢. A plastic milk jug over 1 litre is in that category.

A smaller eligible plastic container, 1 litre or less, pays 10¢. The schedule lists that size under other plastics, polypropylene and clear PET, all at 10¢ for 1 litre or less. The size rule is the same one in the regulation: 10¢ up to 1 litre, 25¢ over 1 litre.

Milk cartons

Gable-top cartons are the peaked paper cartons, some with a screw cap. ABCRC says this type often holds milk, cream and plant-based beverages. On the schedule effective February 1, 2026:

• Gable-top, 1 litre or less: 10¢
• Gable-top, over 1 litre: 25¢
• Tetra cartons, 1 litre or less: 10¢
• Tetra cartons, over 1 litre: 25¢

Tetra cartons are the flat drink boxes. If the milk or plant-based drink came in one, the refund is the tetra amount for that size. Juice boxes use the same carton rates. Our guide to juice boxes and drink pouches covers those.

Plant-based milk and other dairy

Ready-to-serve dairy alternatives are treated the same as dairy milk. The BCMB, Your Guide to Redeeming Beverage Deposits in Alberta (July 8, 2025) names milk of all types, buttermilk, cream (half-and-half, light cream, heavy cream, coffee cream and liquid whipping cream), eggnog, kefir and drinkable yogurt, plus dairy alternatives such as oat creamer and almond milk.

BCMB's Interpretation of Beverage Container Policy (board approved June 18, 2025) says the same thing in regulation language: when the milk-container exemption ended on June 1, 2009, ready-to-serve dairy and dairy alternative products became regulated containers. The refund still follows the jug or carton size above. ABCRC's gable-top page lists plant-based beverages among the drinks those cartons hold.

What isn't refundable

BCMB does not treat these as ready-to-serve drinks, so they are not part of the deposit program:

• Infant formula for babies 0–12 months
• Sour cream
• Powdered coffee creamer and other non-fluid coffee additives
• Flavour syrups, additives and enhancers, including coffee syrups and liquid water flavour drops
• Pre-whipped whipping cream (liquid whipping cream is refundable)
• Single-portion cream containers under 30 ml
• Industrial milk bladders of 9 litres and greater
• Soup cartons
• Coconut milk sold for cooking
• Fruit purée squeeze packs

We also cannot take containers with no UPC or Alberta deposit mark, broken or heavily contaminated containers, or containers bought outside Alberta. The regulation says a depot does not pay a refund on a container that was transported into the province. If you are unsure, bring it in and we will check the mark at the counter.

How to prep them, and how to bring them in

ABCRC's Bring It In guide asks you to empty leftover liquid and give containers a quick rinse, especially milk and juice cartons, so they do not get sticky or smell. Leave caps, lids and labels on. Leave plastic bottles uncrushed so they can still be identified. If you flatten a jug to save space, flatten it on its side.

You do not need to sort milk jugs from cartons, cans or bottles. Mixed bags, boxes or a loose load are fine. Our team counts every eligible container at your counter (walk-in) or after you leave (valet).

Returning them in Sage Hill and NW Calgary

Sage Hill is a bottle depot in NW Calgary at 70 Sage Hill Plaza NW, in the Sage Hill Plaza shopping centre off Symons Valley Road and Sage Hill Road. We serve nearby communities including Evanston, Nolan Hill, Kincora and Panorama Hills. If you are coming from Evanston or Nolan Hill, take Symons Valley Road south to Sage Hill Road and turn into the plaza. Directions and hours.

Walk in during open hours. Staff carry your containers inside, count them and print a receipt. You collect cash from the in-depot ATM.

Stay in the car. Book a valet drop-off. Pull into the lot and stay in the car. Staff take your bottles, usually in under 2 minutes, so you never go inside, and your refund arrives by Interac e-Transfer within 48 hours. Neighbours have left 2,500+ Google reviews, with a 4.9-star rating. We recommend booking at least a day ahead.

On Remembrance Day (November 11, 2026) we are open 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM, the same as other Alberta statutory holidays, and valet runs that day too (holiday hours).

Collecting jugs and cartons for a school, team or charity? Bottle drives are free to set up, and supporters can drop milk jugs here and say your group's name.

Want the free loyalty stamps while you are here? Ask about the Hero Card at the counter.

Ready to drop off?

Walk in any time during business hours, or book a valet drop-off and stay in your car. Questions? Call (403) 275-7003.

Related: Refunds & pricing · Valet drop-off · Bottle drives · Bottle depot NW Calgary · Location & hours

Refund amounts and eligibility are from the ABCRC deposit schedule (effective February 1, 2026), Alberta's Beverage Container Recycling Regulation, the BCMB redeeming guide and the BCMB interpretation policy. Milk containers entered the program on June 1, 2009 (Government of Alberta). Confirm details at the counter if anything looks out of date.