Wasting and Recycling Trends:
Conclusions from CRI’s 2008 Beverage Market Data Analysis

January 2009 | Three pronounced trends in American beverage consumption and recycling patterns have emerged since 2000: overall sales growth, non-carbonated sales growth, and stagnating recycling rates—all of which lead to increasing wasting. Using data from the 2008 Beverage Market Data Analysis, CRI has compiled a report discussing those trends.By Container Recycling Institute

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CRI Letters and Briefings

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2021

•   CRI supports H.3284 “An Act relative to containers, litter, ecology and nips (CLEAN Act)” (Massachussets) - September 14th, 2021
  

  This bill would add alcoholic beverages of up to 100ml to the MA beverage container deposit law. Effectively, this means spirits sold in miniatures, or nips: the tiny bottles that are ubiquitous as litter strewn across the Commonwealth’s roads and streets, beaches, parks, fields, and other places.
  Download PDF [226KB]
  
  

•   CRI supports S.2215, “An Act to Create a Deposit for Glass Wine and Liquor Bottles (Massachusetts) - September 13th, 2021
  

  We are writing to state our support of S.2215, “An Act to Create a Deposit for Glass Wine and Liquor Bottles (O’Connor). This short bill packs a big punch in addressing a serious problem in Massachusetts: finding a home for hundreds of thousands of tons of discarded glass bottles.
  Download PDF [208KB]
  
  

•   CRI supports H3332 (Massachussets) - September 13th, 2021
  

  As you may know, the Container Recycling Institute (CRI) is a national nonprofit organization and an authority on the economic and environmental impacts of container recycling. We are writing in support of H.3332 “An Act promoting the proper disposal of miniatures (Lewis/Hawkins).
  Download PDF [215KB]
  
  

•  CRI opposes AB 1454, changes to The California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act - June 25th, 2021
  

  We are writing to state that our position on AB 1454, which makes changes to “The California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act,” is opposed unless amended
  Download PDF [669KB]
  
  

•  CRI opposes S.568 (Massachussets) – Resolve providing for an investigation and study of enhancing statewide recycling programs -  June 22nd, 2021
  

  We are writing in opposition to the part of the resolve that suggests studying repeal of the container deposit law. The effectiveness of container deposit laws has been studied many times, both within and outside of the United States.
  Download PDF [496KB]
  
  

•  CRI supports California's AB 962 - June 21st, 2021
  

  We are writing to state our wholehearted support for the reusable beverage container bill AB 962: “An act to amend Section 14539 of, and to add Sections 14525.1 and 14576 to, the Public Resources Code, relating to solid waste.”
  Download PDF [1.2MB]
  
  

•  CRI Supports H 996 An Act to improve plastic bottles and their recycling - Massachussets - June 21st 2021
  

  We are writing in support of H 996, which would require plastic beverage manufacturers to make their bottles out of 25% recycled content by 2024, with intermediate goals to be reached incrementally. 
  Download PDF [254KB]
  
  

•  CRI Supports California AB 962 Reusable Beverage Containers - April 12th, 2021
  

  We are writing to state our wholehearted support for the reusable beverage container bill AB 962: “An act to amend Section 14539 of, and to add Sections 14525.1 and 14576 to, the Public Resources Code, relating to solid waste.”
  Download PDF [175KB]
  
  

•  CRI opposes Iowa HF 814 -  April 20th, 2021
  

  We are writing to state our opposition to HF 814 because it would diminish consumers’ access to redemption opportunities.
  Download PDF [205KB]
  
  

• CRI Supports Connecticut Senate Bill 1037 - March 18th, 2021
  

  We strongly support Senate Bill 1037, “An Act Concerning Solid Waste Management.”  This bill modifies Connecticut’s beverage container deposit law (or “bottle bill’) in four stages.
  Download PDF [560 KB]
  
  

•  Anticipated Revenue from Unclaimed Deposits Under a Modernized Bottle Bill (Vermont H.175) - March 11th, 2021
  

  We are writing to shed further light on anticipated revenues from unclaimed deposits that would accrue to the State of Vermont upon passage of H.175: “An act relating to the beverage container redemption system.”
  Download PDF [218 KB]
  
  

•  CRI supports Vermont H.175 - February 25th,  2021
  

  We are writing in support of H.175, “An act relating to the beverage container redemption system,” which would update Vermont’s deposit law to include most non-carbonated beverage containers, and would raise the deposit to a dime.
  Download PDF [321KB]
  
  

• CRI Comments on Methodology of the U.S. EPA in Calculating National Recycling Rates - March 8th, 2021
  

  We are writing in regard to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2020-0443 with comments about the methodology the U.S. EPA uses in calculating national recycling rates, and how this methodology might be improved. Among other things, we will discuss how a combination of overcounting recycling and undercounting generation artificially inflates the recycling rate.
  Download PDF [813 KB]
  
  

•  CRI supports Maryland HB99 - February 5th, 2021
  

  The bill would create a multi-stakeholder advisory commission charged with designing a framework for a beverage container deposit law in Maryland.
  Download PDF [261KB]
  
  

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2020

•   CRI supports AB793 July 3rd, 2020
  

  We are writing in support of AB 793, which would require plastic beverage bottle manufacturers to make their bottles out of 50% recycled content by 2030, with intermediate goals to be reached incrementally.
  Download PDF [247KB]

•   CRI supports Maryland House Bill 824 - Febraury 25th, 2020
  

  We are writing in support of House Bill 824, “An Act Concerning Beverage Container Deposit Program – Establishment and Advisory Commission.”
  Download PDF [456KB]

•  Coalition Sign-On Statement in Support of Modernizing Connecticut’s Bottle Bill - February 1st, 2020
  

  We, the undersigned, are united in our strong support for expanding and modernizing Connecticut’s Container Deposit Law (AKA the Bottle Bill) as a means of increasing recycling in Connecticut, saving municipalities money, addressing the solid waste & recycling crisis, the climate emergency and protecting our environment. Important steps Connecticut can take to create a working, modern deposit program include...
  Download PDF [1.1MB]

•  CRI Testimony on MA H2837: “An Act to increase recycling in the Commonwealth:” Support if Amended & S1939: “An Act to increase container recycling in the Commonwealth:” Support if Amended - January 21st, 2020
  

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) would like to register its support—if amended—
  of H2837 and S1939, similar bills that would conditionally expand, or update, the beverage container deposit law (or “bottle bill”) to include many non-carbonated beverages.
  Download PDF [238KB]

•  CRI Letter on California SB372 - January 14th, 2020
  

  We are writing in with neither support nor opposition of SB 372, which would transition the State’s existing Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act from a state government-run program (managed by CalRecycle) to an Extended Producer Responsibility program, managed by the beverage distributors through a Beverage Container Stewardship Organization (BCSO).
  Download PDF [367KB]

2019

 

•  CRI supports RFR - Processing Payment Emergency Regulations - December 10th, 2019
  

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) supports the 10% reasonable financial return (RFR) as proposed in the Processing Payment Emergency Regulations (CCR Section 2975, Subchap. 12, Chapter 5, Division 2 of Title 14).
  Download PDF [420KB]

• CRI Support Letter for Colorado Beverage Redemption Program - October 21st, 2019
  

  We are writing in support of the proposed beverage container deposit law now before the Zero Waste and Recycling Interim Study Committee.
  Download PDF [420KB]

•   CRI Supports Modifying CCR §2200(b) - October 18th, 2019
  

  We are writing to state our support for modifying CCR §2200(b) to allow aluminum beverage can manufacturers to mark cans on either the top or the side of aluminum cans with CRV redemption information.
  Download PDF [140KB]

•   Reasonable Financial Return for recycling centers - August 23, 2019
  

  In December 2018, CRI submitted a letter to CalRecycle in favor of emergency regulations changing the RFR used to calculate 2019 processing payments (attached). We wrote that the proposed RFRs of 11% and 16% for rural sites were “nowhere near enough to avert the impending financial crisis for redemption centers.”
  Download PDF [485KB]

•   CRI supports AB 792 - April 23rd, 2019
  

  We are writing in support of AB 792, which would require plastic beverage bottle manufacturers to make their bottles out of 100% recycled content by 2035, with intermediate goals to be reached incrementally.
  Download PDF [485KB]

•   CRI Supports AB 815 - March 28th, 2019
  

  We are writing in support of dual-stream recycling, in relation to AB 815, “Integrated waste management plans: source reduction and recycling element: dual stream recycling programs.”
  Download PDF [705KB]

•   CRI Supports CT HB7294 - March 11th, 2019
  

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) conceptually supports Bill HB 7294, with suggestions for amendments. HB 7294 would update Connecticut’s beverage container deposit law, or “bottle bill,” in several ways.
  Download PDF [232KB]

•   CRI supports NYS2828 - February 11th, 2019
  

  We are writing in support of S2828 “An Act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the requirements for lead agency.” This bill would place a deposit on hard cider.
  Download PDF [232KB]

•   CRI's Opposition to House Bill 1795 - February 6, 2019
  

  We write to offer our opposition to HB 1795, “Ensuring the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of the state's recycling system within the existing regulatory structure.”
  Download PDF [328KB]

2018

 

•   CRI opposes repeal of the Michigan's Beverage Container Deposit Law - December 4th, 2018
  

  The Container Recycling Institute opposes the following bills before the Michigan House of Representatives:  HB 6532, 6533, 6534, 6535, and 6536. Together, these bills would collectively repeal the state’s beverage container deposit law, or bottle bill.
  Download PDF [269KB]

•   CRI letter to CalRecycle in support of extending emergency regulations to boost payments to redemption centers, 12-10-18
  

  The Container Recycling Institute supports the adoption of emergency regulations changing the reasonable financial return (RFR) applied to the calculation of processing payments for the period of January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.
  Download PDF [PDF, 1MB]

•  Guidance on Eligibility to Qualify for the Retailer Exemption from Beverage Container Redemption under 10 V.S.A. § 1523b. October 12th, 2018
  

  The retailer exemption requirements are changing because, in 2018, the Vermont Legislature passed a bill repealing Agency of Natural Resource’s Environmental Regulation § 10-105(d) which specified that “A retailer, with the prior approval of the Secretary, may refuse to redeem beverage containers if a certified redemption center operates within a five mile radius of the retailer.” 
  Download PDF [PDF, 360KB]

• CRI supports IA HF2155

  “An Act relating to the applicability of beverage containers control provisions and the handling fees pursuant to those provisions.” This bill seeks to update the Iowa deposit law to include almost all non-carbonated beverage containers, and to raise the handling fee from the current one cent to two cents per redeemed container.
  Download PDF [PDF, 223KB]

• CRI supports CT SB10
  

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) supports Sections 27 and 28 of Governor’s Bill SB 10. Section 27 would update Connecticut’s beverage container deposit law, or “bottle bill,” by placing a 5-cent deposit on most non-carbonated beverages, and on wine and liquor; Section 28 would set the deposit on wine and liquor at 25¢.
  Download PDF [PDF, 205KB]

•  CRI Supports CT Handling Fee HB 5457
  

  The Container Recycling Institute supports Raised Bill No. 5457, “An Act Concerning Bottle Redemption Centers.” This bill seeks to update the Connecticut deposit system by raising the handling fee from the current 1.5¢ on beer and 2¢ on carbonated soft drinks and water to 3.5¢ on all deposit beverages.
  Download PDF [PDF, 228KB]

• The Container Recycling Institute supports House Bill 5486 - February 16th, 2018 (Michigan)
  

  The Container Recycling Institute supports House Bill 5486, which would update the Michigan deposit law to include almost all non-carbonated beverage containers.
  Download PDF [PDF, 220KB]

• Task Force recommendations to the CT General Assembly on the CT Container Deposit Law - January 19, 2018
  

  On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we are writing to express our collective concerns related to draft recommendations from the Task Force to Study Methods for reducing Consumer Packaging (hereafter referred to as the “Task Force”), which deal with Connecticut’s Container Deposit Law (AKA the “CT Bottle Bill”).
  Download PDF [PDF, 557KB]

•   LD 1703  “An Act To Create Equity for Wine and Spirits Container Deposits”
  – OPPOSE - January 2018
  

  While we agree that the current deposit policy in Maine can be reformed for the better, this proposed legislation is not the answer. Maine, with an impressive redemption rate of 90%, is a leader in recycling - this bill would chip away at that success.
  Download PDF [PDF, 303KB]

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2017

 

•   CRI Response to Emergency Increase in Processing Payment - October 13th, 2017
  

  The Container Recycling Institute supports the proposed changes to the Reasonable Financial Return (RFR) described during the Workshop on Processing Payment Emergency Rulemaking. Based on our analyses that I will detail below, we believe this a good solution to the current problem.
  Download PDF [PDF, 236KB]

• CRI supports H3528: An Act promoting the proper disposal of miniatures  - June 2, 2017
  

  The Container Recycling Institute supports H3528 (Rep. Hunt, R-Sandwich), which would add miniature bottles of 100 milliliters or less (known as “nips”) to the Commonwealth’s beverage container deposit law, or “bottle bill.” Nips are currently exempt from the 5¢ deposit.
  Download PDF [PDF, 187KB]

• CRI Supports Most Budget Committee Recommendations for CalRecycle (California) - June 1, 2017
  

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) supports the Assembly budget committee recommendations for CalRecycle’s Beverage Container and Litter Reduction Act program. CRI supports the budget committee proposal for funding for “enhanced oversight, audit and enforcement in the beverage container recycling program.”
  Download PDF [PDF, 158KB]

• CRI Opposes Connecticut Senate Bill 996 CRI Supports House Bill 5618 - April 10th, 2017 (Updated)
  

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) supports HB 5618, which would increase the beverage container handling fee that is paid to redemption centers and retailers by one cent.  CRI opposes Senate Bill 996, “An Act Establishing a Bottle Recycling Fee In Lieu of a Refundable Deposit.” It would repeal the existing beverage container deposit law (the “bottle bill”), and would impose a 4-cent fee on all carbonated and most non-carbonated beverages, with revenues sent to the state’s General Fund and a new “Recycling Fee Account” to be used for various programs.
  Download PDF [PDF, 525KB]

• CRI Opposes S.1865 and H.1744  - February 2017

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) opposes the Senate bill S.1865 (Sen. Moore), “An Act improving recycling in the Commonwealth,” and the identically-titled House bill H.1744 (Rep. Garry). These bills would repeal the existing beverage container deposit law (the “bottle bill”), and in its place would impose a 1-cent fee on all carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, with collected revenues to be put into a “Municipal Recycling Enhancement Fund” (the Fund) with funding to be used for recycling and litter programs. S.1865 sunsets this fee after three years. 
  Download PDF  [PDF, 1.3MB]

• Maine - CRI Opposses Maine LD 683

  The Container Recycling Institute opposes LD 683, entitled, “An Act To Fund the Maine Solid Waste Diversion Grant Program and to Phase Out Certain Containers from the Bottle Redemption Laws.”
  Download PDF [PDF, 448KB]

• Winners and Losers: A Financial Analysis of Iowa's HSB 163

  A repeal of Iowa's Bottle Bill with a new penny fee on carbonated beverages, wine, and spirits.
  Download PDF  [PDF, 148KB]

• New Excise Tax in HSB 163 Would Only Fund Cleanup of 13% of the New Beverage Container Litter Created by Repealing the Bottle Bill

  Iowa’s 5¢ deposit on beer, soft drinks, wine, and spirits is an effective incentive to refrain from littering bottles and cans or to pick up and redeem containers littered by others.
  Download PDF [PDF, 245KB]

2016

 

• Testimony of the Container Recycling Institute on “Smart Container Act” for the Environment and Solid Waste Committee (April 1st, 2016)
  

  Refundable deposits have been shown to be an efficient and effective way to significantly increase recycling rates of beverage containers. In the 10 states that have refundable deposits, the beverage Figure 1: Deposit States Have Higher container redemption rates average 84%.
  Download PDF [PDF, 635KB]

•  Testimony supporting Connecticut Senate Bill 384 (March 10th, 2016)
  

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) supports SB384, “An Act Concerning the Application of the Bottle Bill to Wine and Liquor Bottles for Purposes of Funding State Parks.” SB384 would update Connecticut’s existing beverage container deposit law, or “bottle bill,” to include wine, sparkling wine and champagne, and liquor (spirits).
  Download PDF [PDF, 183KB]

•  Testimony opposing Connecticut Senate Bill 312 (March 9th, 2016)
  

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) opposes SB312, “An Act Requiring The Department Of Energy And Environmental Protection To Study Bottle Bill Beverage Container Refund Values And Redemption Fees.”  SB312 would study the repeal the existing beverage container deposit law (the “bottle bill”), and in its place would impose a 4-cent fee on all carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, with collected revenues to be used to promote recycling and anti-littering programs in the state.
  Download PDF [PDF, 357KB]

•  Testimony supporting Maryland House Bill 862 “Maryland Redeemable Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Act” (March 2nd, 2016) (March 2nd, 2016)
  

  Container deposit programs relieve municipalities of the operational burdens and financial costs of collecting beverage containers. Lost revenue from material that is currently collected in municipal recycling programs is relatively insignificant when compared to the avoided collection and disposal costs, as well as litter cleanup and storm drain cleanout costs.
  Download PDF [PDF, 981KB]

•  CRI and others Oppose MA House Bill 646 (February 23rd, 2016)
  

  As experts in environmental protection, public health, conservation, water quality and waste reduction, we are unanimous in our opposition to House Bill 646, entitled the “Universal Recycling Law.” While that title sounds appealing, the bill does three things, all of which we reject.
  Download PDF [PDF, 49KB]

 

2015

 

• H2875: “An Act to increase recycling in the Commonwealth:” Support if Amended  
  S1752: “An Act to increase container recycling in the Commonwealth:” Support if Amended (December 2nd, 2015)
  

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) would like to register its support—if amended— of H2875 and S1752, similar bills that would conditionally expand, or update, the beverage container deposit law (or “bottle bill”) to include many non-carbonated beverages. 
  Download PDF [PDF, 365KB]

• Testimony supporting Massachusetts H2916, “An Act to expand the bottle bill” (November 12th, 2015) 

  The Container Recycling Institute supports H2916, which would would add water bottles to the definition of beverage containers under the Commonwealth’s highly-­‐successful beverage container deposit law (“bottle bill”), and would restore funding to the Clean Environment Fund. We will comment on both issues in this letter.
  Download PDF [PDF, 299KB]

• Revised testimony regarding CRI’s opposition to H2880 and H646 - (October 31st, 2015)

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) opposes H646, “An Act improving recycling in the Commonwealth,” and the identically-titled bill H2880. 
  Download PDF [PDF, 811KB]

• Testimony of the Container Recycling Institute on “Recycler’s Perspective” for the Recycling Policy Study Committee - (October 19th, 2015)

  CRI presents testimony to the Recycling Policy Study Committee concerning refundable deposits to have been shown to be an efficient and effective way to significantly increase recycling rates of beverage containers.
  Download PDF [PDF, 631KB]

• CRI's letter concerning Vermont H. 104 – testimony regarding H. 104 (May 2015)
  

  The Container Recycling Institutes letter providing further information related to Vermont H. 104. In particular, to answer clarifying questions asked by committee members about the relatively high cost to collect and process PET in recycling programs as well as the documentation of cost savings to municipalities after implementation of beverage container deposit programs.
  Download PDF [PDF, 156KB]

• LD 1204, “An Act To Increase Recycling and Composting by Creating the Maine Recycling Fund ” – OPPOSE; Financial Analysis LD 1204 (April 23rd, 2015)

  The Container Recycling Institute opposes LD 1204, entitled, “An Act To Increase Recycling and Composting by Creating the Maine Recycling Fund.” By reducing the scope of the State’s beverage container deposit law, LD 1204 would be a step backwards for recycling.
  Download PDF [PDF, 390KB]

• CRI's review of Maine DEP’s February 2015 report, “Implementation of Product Stewardship in Maine” (January 20th, 2015)

  Container Recycling Institute (CRI) would like to commend the Department on preparing a thoughtful comprehensive report. Maine’s impressive, and growing, list of EPR programs is a tribute to your ongoing commitment to product stewardship and responsible materials management.
  Download PDF [PDF, 3.8MB]

• CRI's letter concerning Vermont H. 104 (March 11th, 2015)

  CRI provides information related to Vermont H. 104. In particular, we’d like to correct some misstatements that were made in testimony.
  Download PDF [PDF, 274KB]

 

2014

 

• CRI's letter concerning CalRecycle’s Quarterly Report on the Status of the Beverage Container Recycling Fund (July 24th, 2014)

  The Container Recycling Institute has comments and questions for the Department to help clarify understanding of the Fund’s finances.
  Download PDF [PDF, 138KB]

• Comments on Draft to Report to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Recycling Refund System Cost Benefit Analysis (January 22, 2014)

  The Container Recycling Institute is pleased to submit our comments on the draft report Recycling Refund System Cost Benefit Analysis, prepared by ReclaySteward Edge (RSE).
  Download PDF [PDF, 324KB]

• Support for MA Bill H.3848/Updating Massachusetts’s Beverage Container Recycling Bill (March 6, 2014)

  The Container Recycling Institute writes to urge support for of Bill H.3848 to update Massachusetts’ Beverage Container Recycling Bill
  Download PDF [PDF, 385KB]

• CRI Summary of CalRecycle’s Budget Change Proposal “Increase Beverage Container Recycling Revenue through Increased Audit Coverage”

  First of three proposals, First Quarter 2014

• CRI Summary of CalRecycle’s Budget Change Proposal “Beverage Container Recycling Program Reform Phase II: Sustainably Reducing the Structural Operating Deficit”

   Second of three proposals, First Quarter 2014

• CRI Summary of CalRecycle’s Budget Change Proposal “Initial Transition for Support of DORIIS from Contractor to State Staffing” 

   Third of three proposals, First Quarter 2014

• Maine DEP’s February 2014 report, “Implementation of Product Stewardship in Maine”

  The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) would like to commend the Department on preparing a thoughtful and comprehensive report. Maine’s impressive, and growing, list of EPR programs is a tribute to your ongoing commitment to product stewardship and responsible materials management.
  Download PDF [PDF, 90KB]

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Download the free report today or order the individual data package for your state for a fee.

As part of its thought leadership and mission to help improve beverage container recycling in the U.S., the Container Recycling Institute (CRI) periodically performs an analysis of beverage container sales and recycling rates which are produced as authoritative published reports for use by decision makers and recycling advocates across the country. The 2013 edition of CRI’s signature report is Bottled Up (2000-2010) - Beverage Container Recycling Stagnates.

Download the Media Kit

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 Assessment of Economic and Environmental Impacts of Extended Producer Responsibility Programs Operating in   BC in 2014 (November 2016)

Morrison Hershfield for the British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Metro Vancouver, 2016 | Provides measurements of the financial and environmental impacts from the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs in BC. Includes data on job creation, greenhouse gas emissions reductions and other metrics specifically associated with the EPR program for beverage containers.
Download PDF   [PDF, 1.3MB]

 CA State Auditor Reviews CalRecycle (November 2014)

During our review of CalRecycle’s administration of the beverage program, we noted the following: The beverage program’s long term financial health is at risk the program’s costs exceeded revenues by $100 million in three of the last four fiscal years and by nearly $29 million in the past fiscal year.
Download PDF   [PDF, 131KB]

Beverage Containers: Summary of the Stewardship Initiative for Minnesota and Wisconsin

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 2009 | Summary of the voluntary stakeholder initiative between Minnesota and Wisconsin to achieve statewide goals of 80% beverage container recycling.  The report includes information about current beverage container sales and recycling data for the state, disposal data, end market data, and summary of voluntary actions that were developed. [PDF,2MB]

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