Manitobans can now receive refundable deposits on many more alcoholic beverage containers thanks to an expansion of the province’s liquor container deposit program that took effect on July 1, 2026.
The updated program, introduced by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL), now includes most Ready-to-Drink (RTD) beverages sold in eligible containers. The change is intended to make the system easier to understand while encouraging more containers to be returned for recycling and reuse.
What Drinks Are Now Included?
Previously, Manitoba’s refundable container deposit program primarily applied to beer containers. As of July 1, 2026, the program has expanded to include most Ready-to-Drink products packaged in eligible cans and bottles, including:
- Ciders
- Coolers
- Pre-mixed cocktails
- Hard seltzers
- Alcoholic iced teas
- Alcoholic sodas
The expansion covers products sold in the same types of containers that have long been used for beer, making the deposit program much more consistent for consumers.
How Much Is the Deposit?
Eligible beverage containers carry the following refundable deposits:
- 10 cents for bottles and cans under 2 litres
- 20 cents for bottles and cans that are 2 litres or larger
- $40 refundable deposit on kegs
When you return eligible empty containers to a participating beer vendor, you’ll receive your full deposit back. No receipt is required.
Why Was the Program Expanded?
According to Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, the popularity of Ready-to-Drink beverages has grown significantly over the past several years. Because many RTD products are packaged in the same cans as beer, customers were often confused about why some containers qualified for refunds while others did not.
By expanding the program, MBLL hopes to simplify the return process, reduce confusion, and encourage more beverage containers to be recycled through the existing return network.
Where Can You Return Containers?
Eligible containers purchased in Manitoba can be returned to any participating hotel beer vendor. Some rural liquor vendors also accept returns in communities where no hotel beer vendor is available.
Liquor Mart locations and private wine stores do not accept container returns.
Returned containers should not be crushed, broken, excessively dirty, or contain significant amounts of liquid or other materials, as vendors may refuse containers that cannot be properly identified.
What Is Still Not Included?
While the expansion adds many more beverages to the refundable deposit program, some products remain excluded, including:
- Wine
- Spirits
- Alcohol-free and de-alcoholized beverages
- Reusable growlers and howlers that do not participate in the deposit program
Consumers purchasing these products will continue to dispose of their containers through Manitoba’s regular recycling system.
A Simpler System for Manitobans
The expanded liquor container deposit program brings Manitoba’s recycling system in line with today’s beverage market by including many of the Ready-to-Drink products that have become increasingly popular. For shoppers, it means fewer surprises at the return counter and more opportunities to receive their deposits back while helping keep recyclable containers out of landfills.
