Members of Cosmos Bottle Depots Ltd. cut the ribbon as the organization unveiled two drive-up windows at their location in Red Deer on Orr Drive. (Image Credit: rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

By Ian Gustafson

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Cosmos Bottle Depot Ltd. opens two drive-up windows to further community impact

Aug 21, 2026 | 2:39 PM

Cosmos Bottle Depot Ltd. is celebrating continued efforts to give back to the community.

On Friday morning at its second Red Deer location on Orr Drive, the social enterprise opened two new drive-up windows.

Becky Braconnier, executive director of Cosmos Bottle Depot Ltd., said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony that it is their way of giving back to the community and helps ensure the people that they support feel included and connected.

“It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for years, but we just didn’t know how we could implement it and expand. We just know, customer-wise, it’s just a little bit easier to not have to get out of your vehicle and go into the store. It just makes things a bit easier,” she said.

(Image Credit: rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

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Cosmos supports 12 charities per month through its two Red Deer locations, followed by 12 per month at their Blackfalds location.

She said any charity can submit an online application found on the Cosmos website, and they usually accept them until December each year. From there, the organization select its charities of the month.

Those hoping to help out can drop bottles off at the Cosmos blue bins located around the city or at any of their three bottle depot locations.

“Anyone can donate their bottles, and the amount those contain will go to that charity of the month,” Braconnier said.

Cosmos opened its first bottle depot in the 1980s and was dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities.

Red Deer MP Burton Bailey said that what he’s witnessed over the years visiting Cosmos and the work that they do amazes him.

“I don’t understand why more communities don’t have programs like this. We are so lucky to have Cosmos in Red Deer,” he said. “The work that they do with nonprofits, how they do bottle drives, and then a lot of people don’t know how they help underprivileged people with employment and social skills.”

by Ian Gustafson

Cosmos Bottle Depot Ltd. opens two drive-up windows to further community impact

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