Container deposit legislation in the United States
The United States container-deposit legislation is popularly called bottle bills after the Oregon Bottle Bill, the first such legislation passed in the U.S.
Efforts to pass container deposit legislation in the 39 states that do not have them are often politically contentious. The U.S. beverage container industry --- including both the bottlers of water, soda, beer, and the corporate owners of grocery stores, and convenience stores --- often spends large amounts of money in the United States lobbying against the introduction of both new and amended beverage container deposit legislation.
Studies show that beverage container legislation has reduced total roadside litter by between 30% and 64% in the states with bottle bills.[1]
Studies also show that the recycling rate for beverage containers is vastly increased with a bottle bill. The US beverage container recycling rate was 39.4% in 2001. States with bottle bills recycle approximately 78% while states lacking bottle bill legislation only recycle approximately 23%.[2]
In some states, such as California, the unredeemed bottle deposit money is put into a fund which provides grants for curbside recycling programs, clean up, and other related causes.[3]
U.S. states with container deposits
According to 2004 U.S. Census Bureau statistics, approximately 30% of the U.S. population currently reside in states or territories with existing container deposit laws:
- California (5¢; 10¢ for bottles 24 fl oz or greater), implemented in 1987 and increased 25% in 2007; listed on containers as "California Redemption Value" or "CRV"; legislation pending that would expand program to include all plastic bottles (shampoo, food, etc)[4]
- Connecticut (5¢), 1980; not charged on milk (deposit on water bottles went into effect Oct 1, 2009)[5]
- Delaware (5¢), 1982
- Hawaii (5¢), 2005; in addition, Hawaii charges a nonrefundable 1¢ fee per container to fund the program. This fee increases to 1.5¢ if the redemption rate reaches 70%.[6]
- Iowa (5¢ for containers that held carbonated beverages), 1979 (also applies to wine bottles)
- Maine (5¢, also applies to fruit juice and bottled water; 15¢ for some wine bottles), 1978
- Massachusetts (5¢ for containers that held carbonated beverages), enacted in 1982 with expansion proposed in 2009[7]
- Michigan (10¢ non-refillable, 5¢ refillable) - only applies to carbonated beverages, 1978
- New York (5¢), 1982; for containers that held carbonated beverages (including water bottles since Oct 31, 2009)[8]
- Oregon (5¢), 1972
- Vermont (5¢; 15¢ for most liquor bottles as of 1990), 1973
These state laws vary as to the types of containers for which a deposit is required, but generally include glass, metal, and plastic beverage containers.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Container Recycling Institute Links To Various Government Studies
- ^ See Senate Testimony pg 124 RECYCLING: FEDERAL PROCUREMENT AND BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING PROGRAMS
- ^ California's Bottle & Can Recycling Law—The Bottle Bill | Californians Against Waste
- ^ Legislation - SB 1625
- ^ Legislation - HB 6602
- ^ http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol06_Ch0321-0344/HRS0342G/HRS_0342G-0102.htm
- ^ http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/bottleca.htm
- ^ New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- ^ Map with details by U.S state and links to text of laws, LawServer
External links
- Map with links to text of U.S. bottle bill laws, LawServer
- California's Bottle Bill
- Tennessee Bottle Bill Project
- Senator Jim Jefford's National Bottle Bill
- Iowa Bottle Bill Coalition
- Hawaii Dept of Health Bottle Deposit Law Site
- West Virginia Bottle Bill
- Abstract: Congressional Research Service 93-114 ENR. “Bottle Bills and Curbside Recycling: Are They Compatible?”
- Congressional Research Service 93-114 ENR. “Bottle Bills and Curbside Recycling: Are They Compatible?”