[AlbertC]

The Beer Store is closing 8 Ontario locations on Feb. 28. Where can I take my empties?

The Ontario Deposit Return Program, also known as "Bag It Back," allows consumers to return empty alcohol containers to The Beer Store, LCBO agency stores, or empty bottle dealers.

www.toronto.com

The following Beer Stores in Ontario will be closing on Feb 28, 2025:

• 2568 Finch Ave. W., North York
• 5544 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough
• 3431 St. Clair Ave. E., Scarborough
• 16715 Yonge St., Newmarket
• 82 Northside Rd., Ottawa
• 500 Princess St., Kingston
• 380 Donlands Ave., East York
• 10 The East Mall Crescent, Etobicoke

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Wonder how many of us broke this by-law...

Scavenging to return for deposit glass and other material obtained from the blue boxes may be restricted by bylaws. The city of Toronto, for example, passed the Residential Collection By-Law 844-23-C to prohibit scavenging but the regulation is only rarely enforced and the practice remains prevalent throughout the downtown core.​

 

[evandyk]

I can honestly say I have never broken this bylaw.

 

[Richard White]

Me neither.

Generally if I see someone picking through my bin I scream at them to stop while holding and vigorously shaking a baseball bat.

That usually gets them to stop.

I don't want people digging through my trash. They likely mean well but I don't want people scoping out my house or stealing my info.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Me neither.

Generally if I see someone picking through my bin I scream at them to stop while holding and vigorously shaking a baseball bat.

That usually gets them to stop.

I don't want people digging through my trash. They likely mean well but I don't want people scoping out my house or stealing my info.

That's why I use a shredder on my ancient paper (more than 7 years old) documents and expired credit/debit cards.

 

[PinkLucy]

Me neither.

Generally if I see someone picking through my bin I scream at them to stop while holding and vigorously shaking a baseball bat.

That usually gets them to stop.

I don't want people digging through my trash. They likely mean well but I don't want people scoping out my house or stealing my info.

I am perfectly ok with someone taking my empties. We separate them as we have regulars who go around the neighbourhood collecting.

I also shred any documents.

We don’t have people digging through the trash but we do have a thriving reduce and reuse thing going on. We can leave any unwanted items at the curb and someone will take them. We have scrappers who take metal and people out on walks find treasures all the time.

 

[ShonTron]

Given how horrible the downtown beer stores are, of course a lot of people will leave returnable bottles and cans outside. There really should be a better way to return empties.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Given how horrible the downtown beer stores are, of course a lot of people will leave returnable bottles and cans outside. There really should be a better way to return empties.

Too bad Ontario ignores how the Europeans do it not just for alcohol containers, but all drinkable beverages...

 

[lenaitch]

Me neither.

Generally if I see someone picking through my bin I scream at them to stop while holding and vigorously shaking a baseball bat.

That usually gets them to stop.

I don't want people digging through my trash. They likely mean well but I don't want people scoping out my house or stealing my info.

There is also a crime prevention angle. Many people don't realize that when you put out that box that your brand now TV or computer came in you are sending a message to anyone who might be interested.

*****

I assume that basis of the bylaw is reducing the potential recycling income which helps to offset costs. Metals are readily recyclable and I believe fetch the best price.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

There is also a crime prevention angle. Many people don't realize that when you put out that box that your brand now TV or computer came in you are sending a message to anyone who might be interested.

*****

I assume that basis of the bylaw is reducing the potential recycling income which helps to offset costs. Metals are readily recyclable and I believe fetch the best price.

You mean you don't put your old damaged TV in the new box and leave it on the porch for the porch pirates to "steal".

Should be collapsing the box or ripping it into smaller pieces for the blue box.

 

[lenaitch]

You mean you don't put your old damaged TV in the new box and leave it on the porch for the porch pirates to "steal".

Should be collapsing the box or ripping it into smaller pieces for the blue box.

Depends on jurisdiction. Most that I am aware of have maximum dimensions for cardboard so if it is a large item like a TV, then yes. Regardless, even for a smaller box, slitting it once then folding it inside-out so the printed side isn't visible can help.

I have to admit I used to internally judge people when walking the dogs on recycling day.

 

[evandyk]

I thought it was considered polite to keep your returnable empties a bit separate so that it's easy for someone passing by to grab them?

I assume the bylaw is meant to stop people doing it as a commercial activity by taking out stuff that the city is able to (or maybe hoped to be able to) monetize. Speaking of which, I saw these guys collecting recycling on Dufferin this morning. Are these city-contracted crews? I've never seen city people collecting recycling by hand with an unmarked pickup truck.

 

[AlbertC]

Sheesh, parked/idled in a spot that doesn't allow cars to be stopped either!

 

[torontowest91]

In the summer months - there's usually a bunch of kids/teens that go door to door asking for empties. Ill often leave them out for them. Not always worth it for me to get back $2-$5 every couple months.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

In the summer months - there's usually a bunch of kids/teens that go door to door asking for empties. Ill often leave them out for them. Not always worth it for me to get back $2-$5 every couple months.

They need to increase the refund price on bottles and cans. And include non-alcoholic containers. I remember as a kid in the 1950's being able to return empty pop bottles to a convenience store for 5¢. With two bottles returned, I was able to buy a 10¢ comic book. (Today, comic books retail can be around $5 each.)