A significant shift is coming to Ontario's alcohol container return system as grocers have reached a deal that will exempt them from accepting beer and wine empties. The agreement, confirmed in November 2025, marks a substantial change to the province's long-standing recycling program for alcohol containers.
What the New Agreement Means for Consumers
Under the new arrangement, grocery stores across Ontario will no longer be required to accept empty beer and wine containers for return. This change represents a major departure from the current system where consumers could return their alcohol empties to various retail locations, including participating grocery stores.
The decision comes as the Beer Store, which has been the primary operator of Ontario's alcohol container return system, continues to face operational challenges. Several Beer Store locations have already closed, including one in Toronto's east end that shut its doors in August 2025, as captured in photographs showing cyclists passing the now-closed facility.
Background and Context of the Change
Ontario's alcohol container return system has been a staple of the province's recycling efforts for decades. The program allowed consumers to return empty beer and wine containers to designated locations, typically receiving a refund for each container returned.
Grocery stores had become increasingly important participants in this system, especially as many expanded their alcohol sales following changes to provincial regulations. However, retailers have cited various challenges with operating return systems, including space constraints, sanitation concerns, and operational costs.
The new agreement, reached in late November 2025, provides grocery stores with an exit from these responsibilities while maintaining the overall integrity of Ontario's recycling framework for alcohol containers.
Potential Impacts and Future Considerations
With grocery stores stepping back from accepting empties, consumers will need to adjust their return habits. The change may lead to:
- Increased reliance on dedicated Beer Store locations for returns
- Potential convenience issues for consumers in areas with limited Beer Store presence
- Questions about the future accessibility of container return services
- Possible adjustments to recycling behaviors and patterns
As the province moves forward with this new arrangement, stakeholders will be monitoring how the changes affect recycling rates and consumer convenience. The transition period will be crucial for ensuring that Ontario's environmental goals for alcohol container recycling continue to be met despite the shifting retail landscape.
The agreement represents another evolution in Ontario's alcohol retail system, following years of gradual modernization that has included expanded sales locations and changing regulations around alcohol distribution in the province.
