Bottle Drives
How to run a bottle drive in NW Calgary
Free setup for schools, teams, charities and clubs. Paid within one week.
A bottle drive raises money by collecting refundable drink containers from your supporters. Your group gets every 10¢ and 25¢ deposit. Sage Hill Bottle Depot sets up drives for free for schools, parent councils, sports teams, charities, churches, Scouts and Guides, and clubs. You choose a drop-off account at the depot, a cube bag at your location, or a trailer, and we pay your group within one week of the drive closing.
Step 1 — Pick the format that fits your group
| Format | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-off point / fundraising account at the depot | We set up space at 70 Sage Hill Plaza NW for your drive and an ongoing account, so your group can collect over months, whenever supporters are ready. They drop containers with us, say your group's name, and we track everything. | Ongoing campaigns, no volunteers needed |
| Cube bag at your location | We deliver a large cube bag to your school, church or community space. Your supporters fill it, and when it's full we arrange pickup or you drop it back. | School and church drives, year-round collection |
| Trailer | Use our trailer to collect from several locations. It can be parked at the depot or delivered to your location. The trailer is part of the free setup. | Sports teams, large charities, events |
The lot is one of the largest you will find at a bottle depot, so hosting the drive on site is straightforward. Not sure which format to pick? Choose "Not sure — help me choose" on the bottle drive form and we will call you within one business day.
Step 2 — Book your date
Send us your preferred date, time and format through the form, or call (403) 275-7003. A request is not a confirmed booking until we have called you back.
Step 3 — Tell your supporters
Share the basics: who you are raising money for, the dates, where to drop off (the depot, your cube bag, or the trailer), and that they do not need to sort. Mixed bags and boxes are fine. Tell them what is refundable (cans, bottles, drink boxes, cartons, pouches, milk jugs) and what is not (cooking oil, condiments, syrup, cleaning products, broken containers). The full list is on the refunds page.
Supporters dropping off at the depot can credit your group by saying your group’s name when they arrive.
We don't provide printed flyers or posters. Share the dates, the drop-off spot, and your group's name with your supporters yourself.
Step 4 — Collect
Supporters do not need to sort anything, and we count and sort it all at the depot. If your group runs pickups, keep containers bagged so they are easy to move.
Step 5 — Get paid
We process your containers and pay your group within one week of the drive closing, by cheque or e-Transfer. The service is free and we do not take a cut.
How much can a drive raise?
It depends on how many supporters you reach and how long the drive runs. Every eligible container adds 10¢ (1 litre or less) or 25¢ (over 1 litre). In 2025, drives run with us raised over $100,000. Rates are from the ABCRC deposit schedule.
Who we work with
Schools and parent councils · minor hockey, soccer and other sports associations · registered charities and non-profits · church and community groups · Scout and Guide troops · university and college clubs · event fundraisers and one-time campaigns. We are based in Sage Hill and run drives across NW Calgary, including Evanston, Kincora and Sherwood.
FAQ
Bottle drive questions.
Does it cost anything to run a bottle drive with Sage Hill?
No. Setup is free, and we provide the space, cube bags or trailer at no charge.
Do our supporters need to sort containers?
No. They can drop off mixed bags or boxes, and we do the counting and sorting.
How long until our group gets paid?
Within one week of the drive closing, by cheque or e-Transfer.
Can we run an ongoing drive instead of a one-day event?
Yes. The cube bag option works well for ongoing collection, and we can set up regular pickups.
Which areas do you serve?
We're based in Sage Hill, and our bottle drive and trailer services cover NW Calgary and nearby communities, including Evanston, Kincora and Sherwood.
Running a business or event with regular volume? See commercial & event pickup.