KELOWNA – You expect to be able to return bottles at recycling depots or at grocery stores, but what you may not know is that you can also return them at gas stations. According to BC Recycling Regulations, by law retailers who sell products that require a deposit must allow you to return those bottles for a refund. That means you can bring pop cans back to gas stations that sell them, up to 24 of them per person per day.
It’s a law that Kelowna resident David Linge knows all about. He went to his local Shell gas station 20 cents short for his purchase but brought along a 2 litre bottle to return, thinking the gas station would offer a refund. However, he says they refused.
“It’s just very upsetting,” says Linge. “I mean it’s 20 cents, I didn’t go there with a huge bag.”
A Global News reporter tried to return bottles to the Shell station on Highway 33 that Linge had problems at. At first, they said no to the return, but once informed it was the law, the teller complied. However, when trying to return bottles to a different Kelowna Shell location, we were refused.
Shell Canada has confirmed it is obligated to accept bottle returns.
“We’ve looked into this situation and gathered there must have been a misunderstanding somewhere along the line,” says Cameron Yost, Shell Canada Spokesperson. “We will also be following up directly with our retailers in Kelowna just to make sure the proper guidance is provided and to correct any misunderstandings regarding the collection process.”
The company says it’s the first time this problem has been brought to their attention and is apologizing for any inconvenience. However, Linge says he contacted Shell Canada eight times via e mail and telephone and didn’t hear back. So the next time you’re ready to make that bottle return, know it’s the law for any gas station to give you your refund as long as they sell the item you’re wanting to return.
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