Homemade sparkling water vs. canned: The benefits of reusable cylinders

Summary 

Homemade sparkling water vs. cans: why refillable wins
Less hassle and fewer trips on a daily basis
The practical option for summer: your sparkling water everywhere
An excellent alternative to cans for reducing your waste
Conclusion
FAQ

At a time when organizations like Consignaction, which manages the deposit system in Quebec, are modernizing their network, the choice between homemade sparkling water vs. cans deserves renewed consideration. 

While the selective collection of individual containers is essential for the environment, it requires logistical adaptation in daily life. To simplify your routine while supporting waste reduction at the source, the CO2 cylinder stands out as a practical and complementary alternative.

Homemade sparkling water vs. cans: why refillable wins

Comparing homemade sparkling water vs. cans also means looking for the logical choice for your wallet. Repeatedly buying cases of cans represents a constant and surprising expense at the end of the year. By switching to homemade sparkling water with stylish and compact machines, the impact on your budget is immediate.

• Unmatched capacity: A single 60 L refillable CO2 cylinder allows you to produce the equivalent of nearly 170 standard soda cans (355 ml).
• Cost-effectiveness per litre: The cost price of your homemade carbonated water drastically decreases, allowing you to save up to 85% compared to commercial canned beverages.

Hesitating between the two options? See how much you could save by switching to a refillable cylinder over a full year.

Less hassle and fewer trips on a daily basis

According to a Radio-Canada article, the modernization of the Consignaction system is causing real headaches for many citizens. With the gradual withdrawal of traditional machines in grocery stores, returning containers requires you to change your habits. The refillable cylinder eliminates all this logistical burden.

• Great accessibility : While the number of return locations for cans is decreasing and becoming more complex, exchanging cylinders remains extremely simple and accessible in over 2,500 points of sale and grocery stores across Canada.
• No tedious detours: No need to plan a trip to a specialized deposit centre or queue with bulky bags. You exchange directly at the checkout during your usual shopping.
• No waiting for your money: Unlike new deposit systems that sometimes impose deferred refunds of 10 to 14 days, the value of your empty cylinder is instantly deducted from your bill.
• Optimized storage space: You free up your cupboards and garage from the cumbersome storage of dozens of empty cans waiting for the next trip.

The practical option for summer: your sparkling water everywhere

Summer is the peak season for ready-to-drink beverages, but it's also when the chore of cans becomes the heaviest. Loading heavy cases into the trunk to go to the cottage or having to deal with bags of sticky, empty containers while camping quickly spoils the fun.

• Lightness and freedom: A sparkling water machine takes up very little space on a kitchen counter, in an RV, or under a camping tent.
• Ideal travel companion: Our machines work without electricity, making them perfectly autonomous options for all your outdoor activities.

For your summer trips, discover how our compact machine easily fits into your luggage to quench your thirst anywhere, without ever running out of bubbles.

An excellent alternative to cans for reducing your waste

Although the redesign of Consignaction aims to optimize recycling in Quebec, the best waste is that which is not produced at all.

• Massive reduction at the source: By avoiding the manufacturing, transport, and processing of 170 cans for each cylinder used, you drastically reduce your overall environmental footprint.
• A true circular economy: CO2 cylinders are cleaned, inspected, refilled locally in Canada, and then put back into circulation countless times.

Conclusion

As the deposit system transforms in Quebec, the comparison between homemade sparkling water and cans reveals a consistent choice for both the wallet and the planet. The refillable CO2 cylinder reduces the cost per litre, limits trips to return points, and replaces hundreds of cans each year.

You thus retain the pleasure of a sparkling and customizable drink, while adopting a zero-waste lifestyle, effortlessly and without having to change your entire grocery routine. 

Need personalized advice on how to safely transport your sparkling water machine? Contact our team, they are here to help you.

FAQ

Homemade sparkling water vs. cans: how is choosing the cylinder more advantageous?  

Homemade sparkling water vs. cans relies on a single 60 L CO2 cylinder, which produces about 60 litres of sparkling water at home, equivalent to approximately 170 standard 355 ml cans. This sustainable alternative saves you from buying, transporting, storing, and then returning dozens of cases of drinks throughout the year, and it lightens your bill from the very first month. 

Where to exchange an empty CO2 cylinder? 

Exchanging an empty cylinder is simple and quick. You return the cylinder to the counter at over 2,500 points of sale and grocery stores across Canada, then leave with a full cylinder at a fraction of the cost of a new purchase. Since these points follow the opening hours of the businesses that host them, you integrate the exchange into your usual shopping, without planning a trip to a specialized centre. 

Are CO2 cylinders subject to a deposit? 

No. CO2 cylinders are not subject to a deposit by law, unlike cans covered by the Quebec deposit system. Therefore, you do not recover any deposit amount when returning them, but rather exchange them for a full cylinder at a low cost. The complete refund policy and exchange conditions are detailed on the dedicated page of the website, to be consulted before your first visit.