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Blog Post: The Effectiveness of Bottle Bills

Date postedSeptember 11, 2025
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Webinar Recap: Understanding Bottle Bills & Deposit Return Systems (DRS) in the US

1. Introduction to Bottle Bills & DRS

  • Deposit Return Schemes (DRS), or bottle bills, are refundable-deposit policies designed to curb waste and boost beverage container recycling.

  • Consumers pay a small deposit (typically 3–10¢) at purchase and reclaim it upon returning the container.

  • These programs are proven tools to reduce litter, conserve resources, and increase sustainability metrics.

2. Global & North American Context

  • DRS began in Finland in the 1950s and has since spread to over 40 countries.

  • British Columbia introduced North America’s first DRS in 1970 and is also a leader in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)—important benchmarks for circular economy policy.

3. How DRS Works: Standard Us Model

  • The process involves beverage companies, retailers, consumers, and system administrators.

  • Administrators manage deposit flows, handling fees, collections, and recycling logistics.

  • Effectiveness depends heavily on consumer participation and reliable infrastructure.

4. Active & Emerging US Bottle Bill States

  • Active programs (10 states): Oregon, California, Maine, New York, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont, Hawaii, Michigan, Massachusetts.

  • Pending proposals (as of 2025): Maryland, Rhode Island, Washington D.C.

5. State-by-State Breakdown

Oregon (1971)

  • First U.S. bottle bill. Deposit: $0.10 (standard), $0.05 (small).

  • 2024 redemption rate: 87.41%.

  • In 2009, over 1 billion containers were recycled—energy savings = 24 million gallons of gasoline.

  • New EPR program launching in July 2025.

California (1986)

  • AB 2020 law. Deposit: $0.05 (<24 oz), $0.10 (≥24 oz), $0.25 for some boxed wine/spirits (since 2024).

  • 2023: 18.8 B containers recycled; redemption rate: ~70% in 2022.

  • EPR legislation (SB 54) is currently delayed.

Maine (1978)

  • First U.S. state to pass both DRS and an EPR law for packaging (2021).

  • Deposit: $0.05 (general), $0.15 (wine/spirits).

  • Recycles over 40,000+ tons annually.

  • 2021 redemption rate: ~75%.

New York (1982)

  • Returnable Container Act. Deposit: Flat $0.05.

  • Redemption: ~65–70%.

  • Recycling (2018): PET 42%, Aluminum & Glass 61%.

  • “Bigger Better Bottle Bill” proposes a $0.10 deposit and expanded coverage.

Iowa (1978)

  • Flat $0.05 deposit; unclaimed funds retained by bottlers.

  • Recycling (2018): PET 38%, Aluminum 62%, Glass 68%—all well above national averages.

Connecticut (1978, updated 2021)

  • SB 1037 (2021) expanded coverage and raised deposit from $0.05 to $0.10 (effective Jan 2024).

  • Redemption soared 21%, from 44% (2023) to 65% (2024).

  • Q1 2025: 360.9 M containers redeemed, redemption rate 84.7% (vs. 51.9% in Q1 2024).

  • 2018 recycling: PET 45%, Aluminum 47%, Glass 45%—each 15+% above national average.

Vermont (1972)

  • Deposit: $0.05 (beer, soda, wine coolers), $0.15 (spirits).

  • Redemption rate (2023): 71%—4th highest among DRS states.

  • 2018 recycling: PET 44%, Aluminum 59%, Glass 57%—significantly above national averages.

  • The program currently omits water, juice, and non-carbonated beverages—potential areas for expansion.

Hawaii (2005)

  • Deposit: $0.05 flat rate.

  • Recycling (2018): PET 37%, Aluminum 55%, Glass only 20%—good for PET/Al but lags on glass.Over 10 B containers collected since program launch.

Michigan (1976)

  • Deposit: $0.10 flat.

  • 2018 recycling: PET 29%, Aluminum 76%, Glass 54%—all surpass national averages.

  • Potential issues with bottle bill fraud being addressed through legislation.

Massachusetts (1983)

  • Deposit: $0.05.

  • 2018 recycling: PET 31%, Aluminum 74%, Glass 57%—all well above national averages.

  • Covers soda, beer, sparkling/mineral water; excludes wine, dairy, non-carbonated, biodegradables.

6. Policy Trends & Forward Outlook

  1. Increasing deposit values to maintain consumer incentives amid inflation (e.g., Connecticut’s recent jump); as Susan Collins from Container Recycling Institute notes, a nickel today holds much less value than decades ago.

  2. Alignment with EPR frameworks, where materials covered by DRS are exempt from EPR fees (e.g., Oregon model), promoting comprehensive coverage without regulatory overlap.

  3. A national bottle bill is unlikely soon, due to political and industry resistance—as seen in lawsuits and delays at the state level.

Resources

  1. Webster, M. (2024, Dec. 6). Introduction to Bottle Bills in the United States. The Packaging School. 

  2. Reconomy. (2025). What is a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)? 

  3. EastCham Finland. (n.d.). History of waste management in Finland. 

  4. Leung, V. (2024, June 6). New express recycling station opens in Steveston neighbourhood. Richmond News. [Digital image]

  5. Webster, M. (2024, Oct. 10). Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging in Canada. The Packaging School. 

  6. BottleBill.org. (2025, Jan. 3). British Columbia.

  7. TOMRA Systems. (2025). Deposit return schemes. [Digital image]. 

  8. metroSTOR. (2025, May 27). Total mess: the ‘unintended’ problem with deposit return schemes. 

  9. Webster, M., Keigley, A. (2024, Dec. 18). Understanding Oregon's Bottle Bill. The Packaging School. 

  10. Oregon.gov. (n.d.). Oregon's Evolving Bottle Bill. 

  11. Oregon.gov. (n.d.). Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. 

  12. Oregon.gov. (n.d.). Oregon's Bottle Bill: Redeemable Beverages. [Digital image]. 

  13. Oregon.gov. (n.d.). Oregon's Bottle Bill: Non-Redeemable Beverages. [Digital image]. 

  14. Oregon.gov. (2024). 2024 Beverage Container Return Data.

  15. Ball. (2021). 50 States of Recycling 2.0

  16. Webster, M., Keigley, A. (2014, Dec. 18). Exploring California's Bottle Bill. The Packaging School. 

  17. BottleBill.org. (2025, Aug. 1). California. 

  18. CalRecycle. (n.d.). What is California Redemption Value (CRV)? 

  19. CalRecycle. (n.d.). Beverage Container Recycling Program. 

  20. Webster, M., Keigley, A. (2024, Dec. 18). A Deep Dive into Maine's Bottle Bill. The Packaging School. 

  21. Natural Resources Council of Maine. (n.d.). Maine’s Bottle Bill. 

  22. Natural Resources Council of Maine. (n.d.). Modernizing Maine’s Bottle Bill.

  23. Maine Department of Environmental Protection. (n.d.). Maine’s Beverage Container Redemption Program (Bottle Bill). 

  24. Webster, M., Keigley, A. (2024, Dec. 18). Exploring New York's Bottle Bill. The Packaging School. 

  25. Ny.gov. (n.d.). NEW YORK STATE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW. 

  26. New York State. (n.d.). Returnable Container Act (RCA). 

  27. Swanson, E. (2025, June 10). Bronx canners back push to double bottle and can deposit from 5 to 10 cents. Bronx Times.

  28. Webster, M., Keigley, A. (2024, Dec. 18). Understanding Iowa's Bottle Bill. The Packaging School. 

  29. State of Iowa. (n.d.). Department of Natural Resources. [Digital image]. 

  30. Iowa Code. (2025). BEVERAGE CONTAINERS CONTROL. 

  31. Webster, M., Keigley, A. (2024, Dec. 18).  A Deep Dive into Connecticut's Bottle Bill. The Packaging School. 

  32. Quinn, M. (2021, June). Connecticut governor signs bottle bill updates into law, doubling deposit value. Waste Dive. 

  33. CT.gov. (2025, July 1.). The Connecticut Bottle Bill. 

  34. Quinn, M. (2025, Aug. 11). Connecticut’s beverage container redemption rate rose 21% in 2024. Packaging Dive. 

  35. CT.gov. (n.d.). Bottle Bill FAQ.

  36. CT.gov. (2025, July 1.). Covered Beverages. 

  37. CT.gov. (n.d.). CT Bottle Bill Redemption Data. 

  38. Webster, M., Keigley, A. (2024, Dec. 18).  Exploring Vermont's Bottle Bill. The Packaging School. 

  39. Vermont.gov. (n.d.). Vermont's "Bottle Bill.”  

  40. Webster, M., Keigley, A. (2024, Dec. 18).  Understanding Hawaii's Bottle Bill. The Packaging School. 

  41. GoPuff. (n.d.). Fresca. [Digital image]

  42. One Stop Wine Shop. (n.d.). FRE Alcohol-Removed Merlot. [Digital image]. 

  43. Webster, M., Keigley, A. (2024, Dec. 18).  A Deep Dive into Michigan's Bottle Bill. The Packaging School. 

  44. BottleBill.org. (n.d.). Michigan Bottle Bill History. 

  45. Michigan.gov. (n.d.). Michigan Beverage Container Deposit Law. 

  46. Instagram. (2024, Aug. 27). Michigan man charged in massive bottle return fraud case. [Digital image]. 

  47. Webster, M., Keigley, A. (2024, Dec. 18). Exploring Massachusetts's Bottle Bill. The Packaging School. 

  48. Mass.gov. (2013. July 5). 301 CMR 4.00: Provisions for Recycling of Beverage Containers (Bottle Bill). 

  49. BottleBill.org. (n.d.). Massachusetts Bottle Bill History. 

  50. Mass.gov. (n.d.). Guide to the 1983 Bottle Bill for Consumers. 

  51. Mass.gov. (n.d.). Deposit Bottle & Can Recycling.

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