A convenient way to get news on deposit legislation around the world, plus beverage and recycling industry news, all in one place. CRI compiles articles from various news sources and sends them to your inbox once a week.
CRI's quarterly newsletter contains current information on states, provinces and countries considering new or expanded bottle bills, as well as other current information on container and package recycling.
Over the past several years, container deposit programs have been adopted at a rapid rate in nations across the globe. What's pushing the trend? And is it a preview of things to come in the U.S.? Download PDF [PDF, 908KB]
CRI has undertaken a limited review of RIT’s “Impact Study of NYS Bottle Bill Expansion” (Nov. 2019), which assesses economic impacts on various stakeholders if glass liquor and wine bottles (excluding plastic and aluminum containers) were to be covered by a deposit. Download PDF [PDF, 874KB]
Summary of Findings: The operators of curbside and drop-off programs in California received $193 million in revenue from CalRecycle payments and scrap sales for CRV beverage containers in 2017. The estimated cost for handling those containers was $43 million, leading to a calculation of $150 million in gross profits, or a 349% profit. Download PDF [PDF, 449KB]
A “convenience zone” is defined as the area within a half-mile radius of a supermarket that has gross annual sales of at least $2 million. By statute, the intent is to have one redemption center in each convenience zone. This would ensure that it is just as easy to return an empty beverage container for refund as it is to purchase the beverage in the first place. Download PDF [PDF, 373KB]
House Bill 2686*, “An Act Improving Recycling in the Commonwealth” 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. Collected revenues would be put into a “Municipal Recycling Enhancement Fund” (the Fund), with funding to be used for recycling and litter programs. The bill sunsets this fee after three years. Download PDF [PDF, 806KB]
As all recycling professionals know, recycling isn’t a zero-cost service, even though it is often provided for “free” to households. Providing recycling for “free” is a deliberate policy decision made by municipalities to incentivize participation by residents and businesses. Download PDF [PDF, 228KB]
The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) has analyzed Iowa HF 575, successor to HSB 163.1 It would repeal the beverage container deposit law (“bottle bill”), and would impose a 1¢ “recycling program fee” on carbonated beverages. Download PDF [PDF, 684KB]
This report examines a suite of economic impacts associated with the existing Massachusetts “Bottle Bill” (originally passed as the Beverage Container Recovery Law; H.2943/S.1588).
Get Download Link [PDF, 471KB]
Addendum April 10th, 2018 - Download PDF [PDF, 32KB]
Updated Imagery included here: Download PDF [PDF, 283KB]
California needs to help restore redemption center coverage in the “recycling deserts” in the state. Here’s why. (July 2017)
Download PDF [PDF, 29KB]
Jurisdictions across North America are pondering how to handle the challenging economics of glass recovery. A beverage container recycling specialist adds to the conversation with an in-depth look at the numbers from different glass programs around the globe.
Download PDF [PDF, 5.9MB]
The American Beverage Association (ABA) recently released an “Issue Analysis” which examines the impacts of Delaware’s new Universal Recycling Law, implemented in 2011. The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) has prepared this fact sheet to provide additional information not currently presented in ABA’s analysis.
Download PDF [PDF, 602KB]
Declining scrap prices coupled with problematic compensation formulas have produced processing payment shortfalls that have already forced the closure of more than 400 redemption centers in California, posing a serious threat to the state’s beverage container recycling infrastructure and sharply constricting consumers’ ability to recover the CRV (container refund value) to which they are entitled.
Download PDF [PDF, 602KB]
Though it would require a statutory change, CRI recommends that the processing payment calculation method be reevaluated to protect the solvency of the recycling centers upon which the California beverage container recycling infrastructure depends.
Download PDF [PDF, 310KB]
Encorp’s response letter to the BC Case Study - Download Here
This paper looks at litter cleanup efforts and associated costs in Michigan, and attempts to determine the proportion of litter composed of discarded beverage containers.
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Listing of Beverage Container Recycling Rates by State for Deposit Containers Only.
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The American Beverage Association (ABA) recently released an “Issue Analysis” which examines the impacts of Delaware’s new Universal Recycling Law, implemented in 2011. The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) has prepared this fact sheet to provide additional information not currently presented in ABA’s analysis.
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An analysis of the effects of passage of S.379 on litter, recycling, employment, and state and local financing.
Download PDF [PDF, 117KB]
The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) undertook this case study of British Columbia’s container deposit-refund law (CDL) for two reasons: first, to expand CRI’s existing body of research on best practices for the recovery and quality recycling of packaging materials; and second, to investigate recent increases in container recycling fees (CRF) in the province, especially for glass containers.
Three pronounced trends in American beverage consumption and recycling patterns have emerged since CRI’s first BMDA looked at year 2000 data: overall sales growth, non-carbonated sales growth, and stagnating recycling rates—all of which are resulting in higher rates of landfilling, incineration and littering, and other negative environmental impacts.
Get Download Link [PDF, 2.1MB]
Is single-stream recycling service the salvation of all recycling programs or is there a better way forward? Our author digs into the untold story of real residue rates and a PREFERABLE METHOD to truly recycle more materials at materials recovery facilities.
December 2011 | While the recycling's impact on jobs has been the subject of several studies in recent years, Returning to Work is the first report to take into account the vital importance of material quality, throughput quantities, processing dynamics and end-user needs to analyze the net gains in domestic jobs when beverage containers are recovered through recycling.By Clarissa Morawski and Jeffrey Morris for the Container Recycling Institute
December 2009 | While single-stream recycling is more convenient for consumers and results in lower costs than other collection systems, it also results in more contamination of collected materials, lower material quality, and increased waste. Using data from industry reports and interviews with recyclers, this report that highlights the economic and environmental impacts of switching to a single-stream system.
By Clarissa Morawski
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
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.
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The bill would create a multi-stakeholder advisory commission charged with designing a framework for a beverage container deposit law in Maryland.
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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]
We are writing in support of House Bill 824, “An Act Concerning Beverage Container Deposit Program – Establishment and Advisory Commission.”
Download PDF [456KB]
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...
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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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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.”
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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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
“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]
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]
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, which would update the Michigan deposit law to include almost all non-carbonated beverage containers.
Download PDF [PDF, 220KB]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) opposes H646, “An Act improving recycling in the Commonwealth,” and the identically-titled bill H2880.
Download PDF [PDF, 811KB]
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]
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]
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]
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 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]
The Container Recycling Institute has comments and questions for the Department to help clarify understanding of the Fund’s finances.
Download PDF [PDF, 138KB]
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]
The Container Recycling Institute writes to urge support for of Bill H.3848 to update Massachusetts’ Beverage Container Recycling Bill
Download PDF [PDF, 385KB]
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]
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 most current version of CRI’s signature report is Bottled Up (2000-2010) - Beverage Container Recycling Stagnates.
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]
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]
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]
Download this report (free)
[PDF, 2.1MB]
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Beverage Market Data Analysis
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