Container deposit legislation in the United States

Overview of the container deposit legislation in United States of America

Deposit notice on a bottle sold in continental U.S. indicating the container's deposit value in various states; "CA CRV" means California Cash Redemption Value A beverage container redemption center in Portland, Oregon

There are ten states in the United States of America with container deposit legislation, popularly called "bottle bills" after the Oregon Bottle Bill, the first such legislation that was passed.[1]

Container deposit legislation (CDL) requires a refundable deposit on certain types of recyclable beverage containers in order to ensure an increased recycling rate. Studies show that the recycling rate for beverage containers is vastly increased with a bottle bill. The United States' overall beverage container recycling rate is approximately 33%, while states with container deposit laws have a 70% average rate of beverage container recycling. Michigan's recycling rate of 97% from 1990 to 2008 was the highest in the nation, as is its $0.10 deposit.[2] Numerous instances of criminal offenses motivated by the cash refund value of empty containers have been reported.

Proponents of container deposit legislation have pointed to the small financial responsibilities of the states. Financing these programs are the responsibility of the beverage industry and consumers.[2] Producers are responsible for disposing of returned products, while consumers are responsible for collecting their refunds.

In Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, and Massachusetts the courts have ruled that unclaimed deposits are deemed abandoned by the public and are therefore property of the state. In California and Hawaii uncollected deposits are used to cover the administrative costs of the deposit program.[2][3] In Iowa and Oregon the beverage distribution industry keeps the unredeemed deposits.[4][5] Iowa and Oregon's systems are similar and it was found to be highly profitable for beverage distributors in Iowa.[5] Between March 11, 2020, and June 2020, most states with container deposit legislation, except for California and Hawaii, temporarily suspended the bottle bill requirements as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

States first enacting
a bottle bill[7][8]

| year | state

|

1971 | Oregon
1972 | Vermont
1976 | Maine
1976 | Michigan
1978 | Connecticut
1978 | Iowa
1982 | Massachusetts
1982 | New York
1986 | California
2002 | Hawaii

## US states and Canadian provinces with container deposits

[edit]

Container-deposit legislation in North America.

Container deposits on most bottles and cans

Container deposits only on beer/alcoholic beverage containers

Container deposits discontinued

No container deposits

Canned wine with Iowa 5¢ and Maine 15¢ insignia Cans discarded less than two years after the Oregon Bottle Bill was passed.

* California (5¢; for bottles 24 U.S. fl oz (710 mL) or greater, 10¢; boxed wine, wine pouches and cartons 25¢), California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act (AB 2020) implemented in 1987, last revision made January 2024. Listed on containers as "California Redemption Value", or "CRV", or "CA Cash Refund" or similar notations. Beverages covered under the act are beer and malt beverages, distilled spirit coolers, wine and wine coolers, and all non-alcoholic beverages except milk, 100 percent vegetable juice in containers larger than 16 ounces, and 100 percent fruit juice in containers 46 ounces or larger. Other notable beverage excluded from CRV are distilled spirits, medical food and baby formula. Container types are aluminum, glass, wine boxes with bag or pouches, plastic resins 1–7, bi-metals (exempts refillables).[9] The recycling rate for beverage containers of all materials in 2011 was 82%.[10] California imposes sales tax on the CRV if the beverage is taxable. The sales tax is not refunded to consumers upon redeeming the empty containers to a recycling center. Some recycling centers have attracted drug activity and crimes. In one example in Haight-Ashbury, a recycling center was ordered shut down by the city in 2012 due to drug activity crime.[11]
* Connecticut (10¢). Beverage Container Deposit and Redemption Law 1980; not charged on milk (deposit on water bottles went into effect October 1, 2009). The deposit was increased from 5¢ to 10¢ on January 1, 2024.[12][13] Applies to beer, carbonated soft drinks (including mineral water and soda waters) and non-carbonated beverages; "noncarbonated beverages" means water, including flavored water, nutritionally enhanced water and any beverage that is identified through the use of letters, words or symbols on such beverage's product label as a type of water, but excluding juice and mineral water. Beverage container types include bottles, jars, or cartons made from glass, metal, or plastic.[14]
* Hawaii (5¢), Solid Waste Management Deposit Beverage Container Law (Act 176). Enacted in June 2002. 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%.[15] Containers of aluminum, bi-metal, glass, plastic (PETE and HDPE) up to 68 U.S. fl oz (2.01 L). All non-alcoholic beverage (excluding dairy), beer, malt, mixed spirits, and wine.[16] Seventy-six percent redemption rate.[17]
* Iowa (5¢ for containers that held carbonated beverages), Beverage Container Deposit Law 1978. Beverages of beer, wine coolers, wine, liquor, soda pop, mineral water. Bottles, cans, jars, or cartons made of glass, plastic, or metal.[18] Iowa code 455C requires that retailers take back containers of what they sell and it is a misdemeanor to fail to comply.[19] The Des Moines Register reports officials say enforcement is almost non-existent and in the example covered by the news in December 2020, Menards only accepted them after the police were summoned and were told to accept by the police officer.[20]
* Maine (5¢ on fruit juice, soda, beer and bottled water; 15¢ for most liquor and wine cans/bottles), Maine Returnable Beverage Container Law 1978. All potable liquids, except dairy and unprocessed cider. All glass, metal, or plastic containers 4 L (135 U.S. fl oz) or smaller, excluding blueberry juice and apple cider produced in Maine.[21] Redemption centers are paid a processing fee of 3 to 4¢ per container by the distributor.[22] There are some redemption centers that pay the clients in excess of deposit value, sharing part of the fee they receive from the distributor to encourage them to conduct business at the store.[23] A redemption provider called CLYNK operates a drop-off redemption processing service in collaboration with Hannaford stores. The customer creates an account and drop off bags filled with cans and receive the deposit into their account after the containers have been counted.[24][25] In October 2019, a CLYNK customer complained to WGME-TV alleging that CLYNK counted incorrectly four out of five times. The news channel's investigative team conducted their own test dropping off two bags that have been counted twice, loaded with $8.85 worth of containers. CLYNK shorted the news team by $1.15.[25]
* Massachusetts Bottle Bill (5¢ for containers that held carbonated beverages), Beverage Container Recovery Law enacted in 1982. Beverages include beer, malt, soda, mineral water in jars, cartons, bottles, or cans made of glass, metal, plastic, or a combination.[26] The redemption rate of covered containers is 72.3%,[27] though due to an increase in sales of non-carbonated beverages, over 30% of beverage containers sold are not covered and are recycled at a much lower rate.[28]
* Michigan (10¢ non-refillable, 10¢ refillable), Michigan Beverage Container Act of 1976. For beverages of beer, pop, carbonated and mineral water, wine coolers, canned cocktails. In containers made of metal, glass, paper, or plastic under 1 U.S. gal (3.79 L).[29] Redemption rate was 98.2% in 1990, 75.6% in 2022.[30] Escheated deposits are divided as: 75% to State Cleanup and Redevelopment Trust Fund, 25% returned to retailers. The lowest redemption limit per person per day allowed to be set by retailer is $25 in deposits.[31] Disposal of beverage containers in the trash is illegal in Michigan.[31] About 55% of beverages in Michigan are subject to deposit.[30] Since 2020, all parties in the distribution chain are required to begin collecting and refunding deposits on kombucha, effectively adding kombucha to the list of accepted drinks in Michigan.[32]
* New York (5¢), New York State Returnable Container Law 1982. For containers under one gallon, that held carbonated beverages or water (the law was amended to include water containers on October 31, 2009)[33] Beverages include beer, malt beverages, soda, juice spritzers containing added water or sugar, wine product,[34] and bottled water without added sugar. Hard cider and wine are exempt from the deposit, whether or not they are carbonated. Container types are metal, glass, paper, plastic or a combination under 1 U.S. gal (3.79 L). Overall redemption rates as of 2007 were 66%; 76% for beer, 56.6% for soda, and 64.7% for wine product. Redemption limit is 240 containers per person, per day, but this can be circumvented by notifying the business at least 48 hours in advance, in which case the business is compelled to take any amount. In addition, any store that sells a product with a deposit, is required to take it back and refund the deposit.[35] As of March 2010, all business which sell beverages in beverages containers for consumption off site and are part of a chain of businesses of 10 or more under common ownership are required to install 3–8 reverse vending machines on their premises depending on area of the business.[36] In 2024, New York proposed a bill that will increase the bottle deposit from 5¢ to 10¢.[37]
* Oregon (10¢), the Oregon Bottle Bill passed in 1971. Covered beverages carry a mandatory refund value, which means a redemption value must be paid upon presentation of containers, however, retailers are not required to charge the deposit.[38]

Beverages covered include beer, malt, soda, bottled water, juice, coffee, kombucha, coconut water, ready-to-use mixers, nutritional supplements, smoothies, protein shakes, non-alcoholic wine, drinking vinegar, marijuana beverages, sports drinks, energy drinks and most other beverages. The only exceptions are for wine, liquor, dairy or plant-based milk, meal replacement beverages, and infant formula.[39] Included are bottles, cans, or jars made of glass, metal, or plastic. Redemption rate has been as high as 94%, but dropped to 83% by 2005[40] and to 64.5% in 2015, the decline ultimately triggering a scheduled increase in the redemption value to 10¢ effective April 2017.[41] As of 2023, 88% of beverages in Oregon are subject to deposit.[30]

* Vermont (5¢; for most liquor bottles, 15¢), Beverage Container Law 1973. Includes beer, malt, soda, mixed wine drinks, liquor. Containers included are bottles, cans, jars, or cartons composed of glass, metal, paper, plastic, or a combination.[42] Of overall beverages sold in Vermont, 46% were covered by deposit in 2019. Redemption rate in 2022 was 72.3% which is a six percent drop from the previous year.[43]

## Repealed legislation

[edit]

* Delaware (5¢), Beverage Container Regulation 1982 [Repealed in 2009]. Included beer, malt, ale, soft drinks, mineral water, soda water, and covered all containers under 2 U.S. qt (1.89 L) (with the exception of aluminum).[44] Container deposit legislation was repealed by Senate Bill 234. As of December 1, 2010, consumers no longer paid a deposit on containers; no refunds were paid after February 1, 2011.[45] Delaware had a non-refundable 4¢ tax per beverage container sold, which retailers remitted to the state monthly. This fee expired as of December 1, 2014.[46]

## Proposed legislation

[edit]

There have regularly been campaigns in the early 21st century to introduce container-deposit laws in various U.S. states and territories, or to improve or expand existing legislation, including but not limited to the following initiatives:[47]

* Washington state. Bottle bill has been proposed several times. In 1970 (nay: 51%), 1979 (nay 57%), 1982 (nay 70%), 2023 and 2024.[48][49][50] The 2023 and 2024 proposals were modeled after Oregon's system.[51][50]
* Texas unsuccessfully attempted to introduce a bottle bill into legislation in 2011. The bill set a redemption goal of 75%, with a deposit rate of 10¢ for containers 24 U.S. fl oz (710 mL) or less, and 15¢ for larger containers. Beverages covered would have been: beer, malt, carbonated soft drinks, mineral water, wine, coffee, tea, juices, flavored waters, and non-carbonated waters (dairy products excluded). Containers made of glass, plastic or aluminum-containing a beverage of 4 L (1.1 U.S. gal) or less would have been covered.[52] The Texas bottle bill did not gather enough votes.[53]
* Tennessee had attempted to pass the Tennessee Bottle Bill in 2009 and 2010, which was projected to increase its recycling rate from 10% to 80%.
* The Massachusetts legislature failed over several sessions to expand its bottle law to cover bottled water and sports drinks in line with its New England neighbors. Massachusetts environmental activists attempted a ballot petition in November 2014. The bill failed 27% to 73%.[54] The beverage industry funded over 80% of a more than $9 million campaign, which outspent environmental groups by a margin of more than 6 to 1.[55]
* New Jersey is attempting to pass a bottle bill that will set a 10¢ deposit for bottles and cans, hoping to raise the recycling rate.[56]

## Controversy

[edit]

### Use as a social service program

[edit]

While bottle bills were originally intended to incentivize people to return their own containers, the redemption value is often too low for them to bother. This has led to bottle redemption evolving into a lifeline for low-income people and the homeless. Debate arose as to whether canners, people who collect and redeem bottles and cans for a living, should be considered a legitimate part of society and the economy, or whether they are contributing to open-air drug markets in places such as Oregon, where the original bottle bill was passed. This has led to calls to replace the cash rewards with food assistance or store credit instead in order to acknowledge the bills' actual use as a social service program, and prevent the money from being spent on illicit goods.[57]

### Burden on consumers

[edit]

While noted as drastically increasing recycling rates, controversy arose in jurisdictions such as New York as to whether the bottle deposit fees place an undue burden on consumers. This has led to attempts to raise the fee further, to 10¢, being abandoned.[58] Opponents have characterized bottle bills as a form of taxation. Proponents countered by saying consumers could voluntarily get the money back,[59] although US$125 million in unclaimed deposits are collected yearly by the New York State government alone.[58]

### Criminal offenses related to container deposits

[edit]

Numerous instances of criminal offenses have occurred motivated by the cash refund value of empty containers, such as theft of cases of water from a retail store, burglary into a concession stand, welfare fraud, and theft of bagged empties from a private residence. In Salem, Oregon, the Douglas McKay High School athletic concession stand was burgled, where approximately ten 24 pack cases of beverages were emptied inside the building and empty containers stolen. The vice president of the club suggested the thieves committed the crime of returning empties for cash at the BottleDrop redemption facility nearby.[60] A Medford, Oregon woman was charged with theft of $40 worth of bottled water from Albertsons. A video of the same woman dumping the empty bottles at the BottleDrop facility operated by the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative has circulated on the Internet.[61] A parolee from Wayne County, New York was charged with illegal exchange/sale of items purchased on food stamps following a purchase of 1,000 bottles of bottled water and dumping them out to cash out on the container deposit.[62] A machete-wielding male subject was observed taking a bag of empty cans set aside on the porch in front of the house and was confronted by a neighbor in Medford, Oregon.[63]

In July 2020, an Aloha, Oregon transient attacked another man who was scavenging refundable containers in a residential neighborhood to steal his cans.[64]

#### Recycling fraud

[edit]

One form of fraud is redeeming containers brought in from a different state that does not have a deposit or has a lower one. Such a scheme was brought to the awareness of popular culture in the 1990s by the Seinfeld episode "The Bottle Deposit".[65] In 2022, a family in Oakland redeemed 178 tons of containers brought from Arizona, defrauding the state of $7.6 million in deposit payment.[66] In 2017, A Flint man was arrested for buying cans from Indiana to redeem in Michigan, defrauding the system out of more than $1k.[67] In 2023, a Los Angeles ring was arrested in a bust worth more than $4.3 million.[68] In 2007, 13 out of 15 people in a Detroit ring were arrested in a bust called "Operation Can Scam" worth more than $500k.[69] In 2017, a New York ring of five was arrested for smuggling bottles and cans from New Jersey to New York, amongst other crimes involving recycling.[70]

In 2018, the Washington transit agency C-Tran banned large bags of empty bottles and cans on its buses due to issues with passengers bringing them onto bus lines that cross the border into Oregon. Oregon has a deposit and Washington does not.[71]

Another form of recycling fraud is actually committing fraud in order to gain a profit. In 2017, a New York ring of five was arrested for returning the same bottles twice, as well as other crimes committed to falsely inflate the number of bottles they returned. This ring would also commit bottle smuggling (see above).[70] In 2023, a Sandusky, Michigan man was arrested for returning fake bottle slips, and is suspected of being connected to a large scheme also targeting Lapeer, Bay City, and other cities.[72] In 2019, a Grand Rapids group of five was arrested for returning photocopied bottle slips at numerous Meijer stores in a bust worth thousands of dollars.[73] Using a Eugene Taco Bell as their office, two men were arrested and more are suspected to be involved in a ring that produced more than 100 fake bottle slips worth $14.40 each.[74]

## See also

[edit]

* Container deposit legislation
* Environment of the United States
* History of bottle recycling in the United States
* Recycling in the United States

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Wasting and Recycling Trends: Conclusions from CRI's 2008 Beverage Market Data Analysis, Page 4
2. ^ a b c Gitlitz, Jenny & Franklin, Pat (2006). "The 10 Cent Incentive to Recycle". Container Recycling Institute.
3. ^ State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection Bottle Bill FAQ
4. ^ "Consumer convenience is essential to saving Iowa's bottle bill". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
5. ^ a b Jaquiss, Nigel (February 2017). "Corporate Lobbyists Turned Oregon's Iconic Bottle Bill into a Sweet Payday for Their Clients". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
6. ^ "At least 8 states suspend bottle bill requirements during coronavirus pandemic". Waste Dive. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
7. ^ "Michigan's Bottle Bill" (PDF). Michigan History magazine. May 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
8. ^ "Delaware's recycling law goes into effect on Dec. 1". Cecil Daily. Nov 17, 2010. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
9. ^ California's Beverage Container Recycling & Litter Reduction Program FACT SHEET Archived November 12, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
10. ^ "Notice: Biannual Report of Beverage Container Sales, Returns, Redemption, and Recycling Rates". Retrieved 27 January 2016.
11. ^ "How Homeless People Make their Livings Redeeming Recyclables". Independent Lens Blog. PBS. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
12. ^ "BottleBill.org - The Connecticut Campaign". Retrieved 27 January 2016.
13. ^ Joas, Jennifer (2024-01-01). "Bottle and can deposit doubles on Jan. 1". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
14. ^ "BottleBill.org - The CT bottle bill". Retrieved 27 January 2016.
15. ^ "House Bill". Capitol.hawaii.gov. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
16. ^ Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Department of Health, Chapter 282, Deposit Beverage Container Recycling Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
17. ^ REPORT TO THE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE STATE OF HAWAII 2010 DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
18. ^ Iowa Department of Natural Resources Waste Management: The Deposit Law Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
19. ^ Rood, Lee (December 4, 2020). "Kick the can: Almost 42 years later, can Iowa's bottle redemption law be enforced?". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
20. ^ "Photos: 42 years later, Iowa's bottle redemption law crumbles under COVID". Des Moines Register. Dec 3, 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
21. ^ "Table of Contents for Chapter 28: MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND DEALERS OF BEVERAGE CONTAINERS". Retrieved 27 January 2016.
22. ^ "Maine's Beverage Container Redemption Program (PDF)". May 2018. Archived from the original on 2019-02-23. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
23. ^ Flaherty, Nora (7 March 2016). "Why Some Redemption Centers Give 6 Cents a Bottle When Deposit is Only 5". www.mainepublic.org. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
24. ^ "Clynk to double in size". Waste Today. June 17, 2016. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
25. ^ a b Bodnar, Marissa (2019-10-31). "Are you getting the right coin for your cans? I-Team puts Clynk to the test". WGME-TV. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
26. ^ "Site Help". Mass Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
27. ^ "BottleBill.org - The Massachusetts Deposit Law". Retrieved 27 January 2016.
28. ^ "Municipal Benefits of an Expanded Bottle Bill". Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Archived from the original on 2013-05-02.
29. ^ "MCL - Initiated Law 1 of 1976 - Beverage Containers". Michigan Legislature. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
30. ^ a b c "Michigan bottle return rate fell after pandemic ban. Would price hike help? | Bridge Michigan". www.bridgemi.com. June 27, 2023. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
31. ^ a b "FAQ: Bottle Deposit Law".
32. ^ "NOTICE REGARDING TREATMENT OF KOMBUCHA PRODUCTS UNDER MICHIGAN'S BOTTLE DEPOSIT LAW" (PDF). Michigan.gov. June 27, 2023.
33. ^ "New York's Bottle Bill". Retrieved 27 January 2016.
34. ^ Defined as a beverage containing wine with added juice, flavoring, water, citric acid, sugar and carbon dioxide, not containing more than six percent alcohol by volume (typically referred to as "wine coolers"). http://www.sla.ny.gov/definition-of-license-classes (Archived 2013-07-31 at the Wayback Machine)
35. ^ New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Solid & Hazardous Materials BEVERAGE CONTAINER DEPOSIT AND REDEMPTION STATISTICS As Reported For The Period October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007
36. ^ NEW YORK STATE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW ARTICLE 27— COLLECTION, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF REFUSE AND OTHER SOLID WASTE (Archived June 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine)
37. ^ Dave McKinley (May 8, 2024). "Bill would raise NY's 5-cent beverage container deposit to 10 cents".
38. ^ Bottle Bill 101 information session at House Committee On Energy and Environment May 2, 2019 1:00 PM - Jules Bailey, Chief Stewardship Officer, Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative. 1 hrs 7 min at:http://oregon.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?clip_id=26771&meta_id=1356197
39. ^ "2018 Expansion FAQs" (PDF). Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
40. ^ "The Expanded Bottle Bill 2007: Legislation Added Water Bottles, Created Task Force" (PDF). State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 10, 2008.
41. ^ Pursinger, Geoff (July 29, 2016) [published online July 22]. "Oregon bottle redemption rate to double". Hillsboro Tribune. pp. A1, A4. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
42. ^ "Vermont Statutes Online". Retrieved 27 January 2016.
43. ^ "Vermont - Bottle Bill Resource Guide". www.bottlebill.org. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
44. ^ "BottleBill.org - The Delaware Deposit Law". Retrieved 27 January 2016.
45. ^ DELAWARE STATE SENATE 145th GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE BILL NO. 234
46. ^ "Retail Beverage Container License and Recycling Fee". State of Delaware. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
47. ^ "Proposed Laws". Bottle Bill. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
48. ^ Virgin, Bill. "Bottle deposits idea could be recycled". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
49. ^ "What happened with WA lawmakers' climate agenda". The Seattle Times. 2024-03-11. Archived from the original on March 11, 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
50. ^ a b Oxley, Dyer (2023-01-05). "Could bottle deposits be coming to Washington state?". KUOW. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
51. ^ Markovich, Matt (2024-02-02). "10-cent bottle deposit system bill being considered in Washington". MyNorthwest.com. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
52. ^ Texas Bottle Bill 2011 (Archived May 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine)
53. ^ "Bill: SB 635 - 2nd Reading Amendment 6". Texas Legislature Online. May 25, 2011.
54. ^ "Ballot questions, 2 - Expand bottle bill, Mass". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
55. ^ Abel, David (November 4, 2014). "Bid to expand Mass. bottle law soundly rejected". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
56. ^ "N.J. may want to give you a 10-cent refund for returning bottles and cans". NJ.com.
57. ^ DiCarlo, Gemma (2021-04-01). "How Oregon's Bottle Bill does — or doesn't — play into the state's drug crisis". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
58. ^ a b Lisa, Kate (2024-06-10). "Why reform of New York's bottle deposit system failed this session". Spectrum News. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
59. ^ Burke, Molly (2024-05-09). "Proposed changes to 'bottle bill' see pushback from unions, businesses". Times Union. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
60. ^ Barreda, Virginia. "Salem's McKay High School concession stand burglarized, $1,200 in losses". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
61. ^ Jusino, Daniela (2017-04-03). "VIDEO: Woman cited after stealing water for bottle redemption". KTVL. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
62. ^ "1000 bottles of water, purchased with food stamps, dumped for 5¢ deposit refund". Times of Wayne County. 2015-04-26. Archived from the original on 2015-04-26. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
63. ^ Pollock, Buffy (2020-02-25). "Medford man stepped in when he saw somebody stealing from his neighbor's po". Mail Tribune. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
64. ^ Egener, Max (July 30, 2020). "Aloha man arrested for alleged attack and robbery of another man". BeavertonValley Times. Archived from the original on 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
65. ^ Jørgensen, Finn Arne (2011). "Can Cultures". Making a Green Machine: The Infrastructure of Beverage Container Recycling. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0-8135-5054-1.
66. ^ "Attorney General Bonta and CalRecycle Announce Charges, Seizures in Riverside County Recycling Fraud Scheme" (Press release). State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General. 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
67. ^ "'Seinfeld'-Like Michigan Can Deposit Scam Ends in Plea". 2024-07-22.
68. ^ "Calif. Arrest of 'Seinfeld'-inspired recycling fraud ringleader who stole millions". 2024-08-22.
69. ^ "Michigan Officials Bust Bottle-Deposit Fraud Ring". Fox News. 2024-07-28.
70. ^ a b "Five Defendants Arrested in Bottle-Return Bust" (Press release). Southern District of New York, United States Department of Justice. 2024-07-29.
71. ^ Theen, Andrew (2018-09-18). "C-Tran's new policy bans empty bottles and cans on bus". oregonlive. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
72. ^ "Man arrested for fake bottle deposit receipts". Sanilac County News. 2024-07-29.
73. ^ "Group nets thousands using bogus bottle return slips at Meijer stores". 2024-07-30.
74. ^ "2 arrested, more suspected in Oregon bottle return scam". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. 2018-08-16.

## External links

[edit]

* Map with links to text of U.S. bottle bill laws, LawServer (archived 2009)

States

* California's Bottle Bill
* Hawaii Dept of Health Bottle Deposit Law Site
* Tennessee Bottle Bill Project
* Texas Bottle Bill

United States (federal)

* Senator Jim Jefford's National 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?"