Return-It
Return-It is British Columbia's regulated beverage container deposit-return system, operated by Encorp Pacific (Canada), a not-for-profit product stewardship corporation serving BC consumers through a province-wide depot network, Express drop-off locations, and AI-powered recycling technology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersBurnaby, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Return-It does
Return-It is British Columbia's regulated beverage container deposit-return system, operated by Encorp Pacific (Canada), a federally incorporated not-for-profit product stewardship corporation headquartered in Burnaby, BC. Founded in 1994, the company runs a province-wide network of Return-It Depots, Express drop-off locations, and 24/7 self-service Express & GO stations that allow consumers to return empty beverage containers for deposit refunds (typically 10¢ per container) plus applicable Container Recycling Fees. The system accepts over a dozen container types including aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, drink boxes, gable tops, bi-metal cans, drink pouches, and bag-in-box containers.
The core product is the Return-It Express system (launched 2018), which lets consumers drop off unsorted containers in clear bags at Express locations for credit to their online accounts, refundable via Interac e-Transfer (minimum $10) or cheque. The system is supported by a mobile app (iOS/Android) featuring Google Maps depot discovery, account management, automatic charity donations, and Express & GO PIN access. AI-based computer vision counting technology processes up to 600 containers per minute and has been deployed at the new Grandview Vancouver depot. Supplementary programs include Express for Fundraisers (charity accounts), Bottle Drives (community fundraising), Return-It School (K-12 educational outreach with annual contests), and electronics/large appliances recycling operated under EPRA stewardship.
Return-It's business model is funded through Container Recycling Fees charged to producers (covering net recycling costs after unredeemed deposits and commodity revenues), consumer deposits remitted at point of purchase and refunded at return, and contract stewardship fees (notably for EPRA electronics). The company is explicitly not funded by tax dollars or government. Logistics including collection, sorting, transportation, and processing are outsourced to contractors across the depot operator network. As of 2026, the Express system alone has processed over one billion beverage containers, demonstrating operational scale across BC's regions.
Return-It firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Return-It
- Legal name
- Encorp Pacific (Canada)
- Website
- https://return-it.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Return-It is British Columbia's regulated beverage container deposit-return system, operated by Encorp Pacific (Canada), a not-for-profit product stewardship corporation serving BC consumers through a province-wide depot network, Express drop-off locations, and AI-powered recycling technology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Return-It industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Beverage Container Recycling Services
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reusable Packaging & Refill Systems (Returnable Transport Items, Deposit/DRS Ops) (EUAIANAE)
Keywords
Where Return-It is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burnaby
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Return-It business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Container Recycling Fees (CRF): Variable fees charged to cover the net cost of recycling each beverage container type. The CRF covers net recycling costs after unredeemed deposits and commodity revenues are applied. Return-It is not funded by tax dollars or government.
- Beverage Container Deposits: Deposits are charged when beverage containers are purchased in British Columbia and returned in full when containers are brought back for recycling. The minimum deposit levels are set through BC Government regulation.
- Stewardship Services for EPRA: Encorp provides stewardship services on a contract basis to Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) for electronics recycling programs in BC.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aluminum Cans - 10¢ deposit, no CRF fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Plastic Bottles - 10¢ deposit, 7¢ CRF |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Plastic Cups - No deposit, no CRF |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Drink Boxes - 10¢ deposit, 3¢ CRF |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gable Top Containers - 10¢ deposit, 2¢ CRF |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Glass Bottles - 10¢ deposit, 13¢ CRF |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bi-Metal Cans - 10¢ deposit, 5¢ CRF |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Drink Pouches - 10¢ deposit, no CRF |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bag-in-a-Box Water - 10¢ deposit, 30¢ CRF |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ceramic Bottles - 10¢ deposit, $29.51 CRF |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Alcohol Containers - Variable deposits and fees |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Return-It product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Return-It operates British Columbia's beverage container deposit-return system, accepting empty beverage containers (aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, drink boxes, gable tops, bi-metal cans, drink pouches, bag-in-a-box, and alcohol containers) at a province-wide network of independently owned depots and refunding consumer deposits. The flagship Return-It Express service enables consumers to drop off unsorted containers in clear bags for credit to online accounts, refundable via e-transfer or cheque. Express & GO self-service kiosks extend access to 24/7 drop-off via mobile app PIN codes. The organization also operates electronics and large appliances recycling programs through partnerships.
Product overview
Return-It is a British Columbia beverage container deposit-return system operated by Encorp Pacific (Canada), a not-for-profit product stewardship corporation. The core offering consists of Return-It Express (bag-drop service with online account tracking) and Return-It Express & GO (24/7 self-service kiosks), both supported by the Return-It mobile app. These are supplemented by specialized programs including Express for Fundraisers (charity donation accounts), Bottle Drives (community fundraising), Return-It School (educational outreach), and Electronics/Large Appliances recycling. The system accepts over a dozen beverage container types ranging from aluminum cans to bag-in-box wine, with deposits starting at 10 cents and Container Recycling Fees varying by material.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Return-It Express: A faster, easier system for returning drink containers without sorting, line-ups, or handling cash. Users place containers into clear bags and drop them at Express locations where the deposit refunds are credited to their online account.
- Return-It Express & GO
- Return-It School
- Express for Fundraisers
- Return-It Gang Characters
Products and services
- Return-It Express The flagship service allowing consumers to drop off unsorted beverage containers in clear/transparent bags at Express locations where they are weighed and counted, with deposits credited to the user's online account for refund via e-Transfer or cheque. No sorting, no line-ups, no cash handling required.
- Return-It Express & GO Self-service kiosk stations available 24/7 that allow users to scan their app and deposit beverage containers without depot staff assistance. Access is granted via a mobile app PIN code at the kiosk.
- Return-It App Mobile application for iOS and Android that enables users to manage Express accounts, set automatic donations to charities, track refund history, redeem funds, and locate nearby depots using GPS and Google Maps integration.
- Beverage Container Recycling Core beverage container deposit-return service accepting various container types including aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, drink boxes, gable tops, bi-metal cans, drink pouches, bag-in-a-box, and alcohol containers for deposit refunds.
- Electronics Recycling End-of-life electronics recycling program operated under EPRA (Electronic Products Recycling Association) stewardship, accepting various electronic waste items for proper disposal in British Columbia.
- Large Appliances Recycling Recycling service for end-of-life large household appliances, providing consumers with a proper disposal channel for bulky end-of-life items.
- Express for Fundraisers, Groups or Businesses Charity account feature enabling registered charities, schools, sports teams, and non-profits to receive automatic donations of deposit refunds from supporters who link their Express accounts to the organization, enabling passive year-round fundraising.
- Bottle Drives Community fundraising program allowing groups to collect and return beverage containers for refunds. Supports both traditional over-the-counter returns and Return-It Express drop-off methods for bottle drive campaigns.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 480 million containers recycled in comparable schemes (ACT Container Deposit Scheme reference)
Companies that use Return-It
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Return-It technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability4 records
Feature5 records
Return-It partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Pacific National Exhibition (PNE)coreReturn-It partnered with PNE to promote sustainability at Playland amusement park. Launched 'Roll-a-Ball' game where guests race Return-It Gang characters. Created recycling message banners, 60 directional signages, and new PNE bin labels featuring Return-It characters and milk containers.
- Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA)coreEncorp Pacific provides stewardship services on a contract basis to EPRA for electronics recycling programs in British Columbia. Return-It Electronics is BC's first electronic waste recycling program.
- Recycle BCminorPartnership with Recycle BC for packaging and printed paper recycling services. Some Return-It locations accept Recycle BC materials including printed paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, plastic bags and overwrap.
- BC Brewers Recycled Container Council (BRCCC)minorBRCCC handles refillable beer bottles and some aluminum alcohol containers not managed by Encorp Pacific, covered under BRCCC's Stewardship Plan.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Return-It competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Recycle BC: BC's residential packaging and printed paper recycling program operated by the Canadian Stewardship Services for Plastics (CSSP) partnership. Operates in the same province with overlapping depot footprint and complementary recycling mandate.
- Container Exchange (Australia) / Exchange for Change: Operator of beverage container deposit schemes across Australian states (e.g., NSW Return and Earn). Comparable stewardship-body model managing a DRS with depot and reverse-vending network.
- Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC): Not-for-profit operator of Alberta's beverage container recycling system. Comparable product stewardship mandate, depot network, and CRF/deposit funding model, but serving a different Canadian province.
- Encorp Atlantic: Not-for-profit beverage container stewardship body for the Atlantic provinces of Canada. Same Encorp family model of province-level DRS operation, but serving a different geography.
Direct peers
- TOMRA: Global leader in reverse vending machines and collection solutions used in deposit-return schemes worldwide. TOMRA's RVM technology and DRS operating systems are functionally analogous to Return-It's AI-based counting and Express network, and TOMRA also partners with stewardship organizations across jurisdictions.
- Re-turn (Deposit Return Scheme Ireland): Operator of Ireland's national beverage container deposit-return scheme. Directly comparable to Return-It as a designated stewardship body running a nationwide DRS with automated returns and digital refunds.
- BC Brewers Recycled Container Council (BRCCC): BC-based stewardship body handling refillable beer bottles and certain alcohol containers. Direct overlap with Return-It in BC beverage stewardship, with explicit division of container categories.
- RVM Systems / Envipco: Provider of reverse vending machines and automated container handling systems for deposit-return schemes in North America and Europe. Technology-comparable to Return-It's AI-based counting platform and a potential partner or competitor for DRS digitization.
Others
- Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA): Canadian electronics stewardship organization for which Encorp Pacific provides contract stewardship services in BC. Comparable in operating model as a stewardship body, but in the electronics stream rather than beverage containers.
Broad incumbents
- Sidel (Tetra Pak): Large incumbent in beverage packaging and collection technology with DRS-adjacent offerings. Broad portfolio player that competes in container handling, sorting, and processing technology that underpins DRS infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Return-It social profiles
Digital presenceReturn-It financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Return-It leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Return-It funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Return-It M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Return-It
What does Return-It do?
Return-It operates British Columbia's beverage container deposit-return system, accepting empty beverage containers (aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, drink boxes, gable tops, bi-metal cans, drink pouches, bag-in-a-box, and alcohol containers) at a province-wide network of independently owned depots and refunding consumer deposits. The flagship Return-It Express service enables consumers to drop off unsorted containers in clear bags for credit to online accounts, refundable via e-transfer or cheque. Express & GO self-service kiosks extend access to 24/7 drop-off via mobile app PIN codes. The organization also operates electronics and large appliances recycling programs through partnerships.
Is Return-It a public or private company?
Return-It is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Return-It founded?
Return-It was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Return-It based?
Return-It is headquartered in Burnaby, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Return-It make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Container Recycling Fees (CRF) is the primary driver. The others are beverage Container Deposits and stewardship Services for EPRA.
Who are Return-It's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Recycle BC, Container Exchange (Australia) / Exchange for Change, Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC) and Encorp Atlantic. Direct peers are TOMRA, Re-turn (Deposit Return Scheme Ireland), BC Brewers Recycled Container Council (BRCCC) and RVM Systems / Envipco. Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) is listed as an others. Sidel (Tetra Pak) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Return-It have an API?
No public API is recorded for Return-It.
What industry is Return-It in?
Return-It's product category is Beverage Container Recycling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIANAE, Reusable Packaging & Refill Systems (Returnable Transport Items, Deposit/DRS Ops). Its SIC code is 4953.