The Top 10 US States With Bottle Bills: Find Out If Your State Is One of Them!

You might be shocked, but scientists did the math and found that plastic wastes equivalent to one garbage truck are being dumped into our oceans EVERY minute!

Hence, I’ll dig into the bottle bill, how it works, and where to return your bottles today.

By the end of the article, you’ll also learn about the state that pays the most, the returns limit, and the amount for returning plastic bottles and aluminum cans.

List of states with bottle bills or the deposit-refund system for beverage containers

Let’s face some cold hard facts right away. Do you know beverage containers make up 40% to 60% of the roadside litter in states without bottle bill deposit laws? That’s 40 states, folks!

Comparatively, roadside litter has been cut down up to 64% in states with a deposit return system. Why? Returning bottles and cans isn’t only lucrative but convenient and straightforward too.

So, let’s look at how the ten states with container deposit-refund systems are faring.

Go Directly To The State Concerned:

• 1 – California
• 2 – Connecticut
• 3 – Hawaii
• 4 – Iowa
• 5 – Maine
• 6 – Massachusetts
• 7 – Michigan
• 8 – New York
• 9 – Oregon
• 10 – Vermont
• Guam

1.     California

With a return rate of 61%, California has had legislation regarding container returns since 1986. Here, you can return beverage packaging in plastic, glass, aluminum, or bi-metal.

Additionally, beverage packaging of beer, wine, soda, distilled spirit coolers, or non-alcoholic drinks is included.

However, milk and juice containers aren’t allowed.

Bottle Return Rates From 2013 To 2021

Year	Redemption Rates
2013	74%
2014	71%
2015	72%
2016	72%
2017	68%
2018	66%
2019	67%
2020	62%
2021	61%

Other Features

Estimated Percent of Deposit Beverage Sales Recycled Via Curbside Programs	Redemption rate reflects direct CRV redemption. In FY’20, curbside and dropoff programs collected 14% of CRV beverage containers recycled.
Amount of Deposit	<24 ounces: 5¢ ≥ 24 ounces: 10¢
Handling Fee	Handling Fee of $0.00950 per container paid to handling fee sites only. Processing payments for glass, PET, and HDPE average $0.009 per container to redemption centers, curbside programs and other programs. All RCs and programs also keep revenue from scrap sales.
% of Beverage Units Sold Covered by Deposit	88%
Population with Curbside Access	91%

Find a Bottle & Can Redemption Center in California

If you’re a Cali resident, you need to head over to the CalRecycle website here. Next, enter your Zip Code and City to find a redemption center right around you.

2.     Connecticut

You can return beverage containers in cans, bottles, jars, and cartons made of plastic, glass, or metal to get back your deposit in Connecticut. Besides, that’s since 1978!

Moreover, everything from bottled water to malt, beer, and sodas are accepted. However, you can’t return non-carbonated drinks and HDPE packaging. Maybe that’s why the Home of ESPN has a low deposit bottle return rate at 46%.

Bottle Return Rates From 2013 To 2021

Year	Redemption Rates
2013	57%
2014	53%
2015	51%
2016	49%
2017	52%
2018	50%
2019	50%
2020	44%
2021	46%

Other Features

Estimated Percent of Deposit Beverage Sales Recycled Via Curbside Programs	10%
Amount of Deposit	5¢ (increases to 10¢ on 1/1/24)
Handling Fee	Beer: 2.5¢ Other beverages: 3.5¢ Liquor “nips” have 5¢ sales fee
% of Beverage Units Sold Covered by Deposit	77%
Population with Curbside Access	86%

Find a Bottle & Can Redemption Center in Connecticut

You can head over to the official website of Connecticut here to find out redemption centers close to you. Moreover, they’ve clearly listed town, location, and hours of operation so that you don’t have to dig yourself!

3.     Hawaii

The Aloha State accepts containers with beverages like mixed spirits, beer, malt, and all types of non-alcoholic drinks. That’s since 2002!

However, Hawaii’s bottle return program exempts dairy product packaging and has a low return rate of 62%. Besides, you can get your deposit for plastic, aluminum, glass, and bi-metal back.

Bottle Return Rates From 2013 To 2021

Year	Redemption Rates
2013	74%
2014	71%
2015	67%
2016	65%
2017	62%
2018	63%
2019	63%
2020	62%
2021	62%

Other Features

Estimated Percent of Deposit Beverage Sales Recycled Via Curbside Programs	Deposit containers collected at curbside (in Honolulu only) are included in reported statewide redemption rates; deducted here to show true refund redemption.
Amount of Deposit	5¢
Handling Fee	Variable fees, effective 7-1-21: aluminum & bi-metal: 3.4¢ glass 8.1¢, plastic 4¢ RCs also keep revenue from scrap sales.
% of Beverage Units Sold Covered by Deposit	88%
Population with Curbside Access	77%

Find a Bottle & Can Redemption Center in Hawaii

When in Hawaii, go to the Hawaii Health Department website to check out the redemption centers around you. Additionally, the site specifies all you need to know.

4.     Iowa

Established since 1978, you can return any type of can, jar, carton, or bottle in Iowa for deposit refunds. Moreover, 65% of bottles are returned in Iowa in 2016.

In addition, this applies to a wide range of beverages like water, beer, wine, liquor, wine coolers, and even sodas. Besides, nothing is exempt in the Hawkeyes State!

Bottle Return Rates 2013/2016

Year	Redemption Rates
2013	78%
2016	65%

Other Features

Estimated Percent of Deposit Beverage Sales Recycled Via Curbside Programs	2016 recycling rate was 71%. An estimated 6% of containers sold are recycled through curbside & dropoff programs.
Amount of Deposit	5¢
Handling Fee	3¢
% of Beverage Units Sold Covered by Deposit	63%
Population with Curbside Access	66%

Find a Bottle & Can Redemption Center in Iowa

You can head over to the state government website here. Then, just skim through the list to find a center close to you!

5.     Maine

The Pine Tree State established bottle bills nearly half a century ago in 1976 and accepts all types of beverages aside from dairy products and unrefined cider.

Maybe that’s why Vacationland residents boast a higher-than-average return rate of 76% in 2020. If you’re in Maine, remember you can return bottles made of plastic, metal, and glass!

Bottle Return Rates 2013/2017/2020

Year	Redemption Rates
2013	90%
2017	84%
2020	76%

Other Features

Estimated Percent of Deposit Beverage Sales Recycled Via Curbside Programs	4%
Amount of Deposit	Wine & liquor ≥ 50mL: 15¢ All others: 5¢
Handling Fee	4.5¢
% of Beverage Units Sold Covered by Deposit	92%
Population with Curbside Access	67%

Find a Bottle & Can Redemption Center in Maine

Maine’s official site doesn’t offer a list of redemption centers. But, you can head over to Google to find them. Hence, just type “Maine bottle and can redemption center,” and you’ll get a long list!

6.     Massachusetts

Perhaps because the bottle deposit law was established as late as 1981 in Massachusetts, it has a low return rate for containers at 38%.

However, the legislation here accepts all types of beverages like sodas, malts, beers, and mineral water in bottles, cans, and jars. Furthermore, you can return metal, plastic, and glass containers!

Bottle Return Rates From 2013 To 2021

Year	Redemption Rates
2013	66%
2014	66%
2015	59%
2016	56%
2017	57%
2018	52%
2019	50%
2020	43%
2021	38%

Other Features

Estimated Percent of Deposit Beverage Sales Recycled Via Curbside Programs	10%
Amount of Deposit	5¢
Handling Fee	Redemption centers: 3.25¢ Retailers: 2.25¢
% of Beverage Units Sold Covered by Deposit	40%
Population with Curbside Access	77%

Find a Bottle & Can Redemption Center in Massachusetts

For recycling bottles and cans in Massachusetts, try the state government website. Lastly, zoom in and out of the map. That’s it!

7.     Michigan

An early adopter of the bottle return legislation for almost 45 years, The Great Lake State has a return rate at 75% (in 2021). Plus, all kinds of beverages from canned cocktails to sodas, water, sparkling water, wine coolers, and beers, are accepted here!

Bottle Return Rates From 2013 To 2021

Year	Redemption Rates
2013	95%
2014	94%
2015	93%
2016	92%
2017	91%
2018	89%
2019	89%
2020	73%
2021	75%

Other Features

Estimated Percent of Deposit Beverage Sales Recycled Via Curbside Programs	4%
Amount of Deposit	10¢
Handling Fee	None. No redemption centers.
% of Beverage Units Sold Covered by Deposit	55%
Population with Curbside Access	61%

Furthermore, Michigan residents are proactive with deposit refunds for bottles as their state accepts paper, plastic, metal, and glass! Time to move?

Find a Bottle & Can Redemption Center in Michigan

If you’re in Michigan, the bottle recycling laws are ironclad. Hence, you can return your beverage containers to grocery stores, gas stations, supermarkets, and convenience stores!

8.     New York

New York welcomed the bottle return bill in 1982 but hasn’t managed to spread enough awareness because bottles get returned at a sorry rate of 70%.

Nevertheless, you can send in bottles, cans, and jars. However, it applies to wines, soft drinks, sodas, beers, and malt. Moreover, any container that once had sugared water isn’t accepted here.

Nonetheless, New York is the only place that accepts aluminum and steel apart from the usual glass, metal, and plastic.

Bottle Return Rates From 2013 To 2021

Year	Redemption Rates
2013	62%
2014	64%
2015	65%
2016	66%
2017	65%
2018	64%
2019	64%
2020	64%
2021	70%

Other Features

Estimated Percent of Deposit Beverage Sales Recycled Via Curbside Programs	5%
Amount of Deposit	5¢
Handling Fee	3.5¢
% of Beverage Units Sold Covered by Deposit	78%
Population with Curbside Access	95%

Find a Bottle & Can Redemption Center in New York

As the New York state government website doesn’t offer a tool for finding redemption centers, you can head over to Google. Then, just type “new york bottle and can redemption centers” to find centers close to you.

Or check the FAQ page of the Department of Environmental Conservation.

9.     Oregon

In 1971, Oregon became the first state in the U.S. to introduce the bottle bill. The State has the best return rate in the country at 81%. Impressive, right?

You can send back any sealed can, bottle, or jar made of plastic, metal, and glass. Although, the state government doesn’t accept wine, milk products, and distilled liquor packaging.

However, you can return soft drink sodas, mineral water, malt, and beer.

Bottle Return Rates From 2013 To 2021

Year	Redemption Rates
2013	71%
2014	68%
2015	64%
2016	64%
2017	73%
2018	81%
2019	86%
2020	77%
2021	81% Best Return Rate in U.S.!

Other Features

Estimated Percent of Deposit Beverage Sales Recycled Via Curbside Programs	4%
Amount of Deposit	10¢
Handling Fee	None; Co-op funds redemption centers in partnership with retailers.
% of Beverage Units Sold Covered by Deposit	88%
Population with Curbside Access	95%

Find a Bottle & Can Redemption Center in Oregon

When in Oregon, use Bottledropcenters.com. Next, you can do so by “using your current location” or the Zip Code.

10.     Vermont

As the government of Vermont imposed the bottle return bill all the way back in 1978, the state has a fairly good return rate of 78%.

Bottle Return Rates 2013/2020/2021

Year	Redemption Rates
2013	76%
2020	78%
2021	78%

Hence, remember to return beverages like malt, a blended wine, beer, liquor, and sodas when in Vermont. Additionally, you can return bottles, jars, cans, and cartons. However, that’s if they’re made of paper, plastic, metal, glass, or any mix.

Other Features

Estimated Percent of Deposit Beverage Sales Recycled Via Curbside Programs	4%
Amount of Deposit	Liquor: 15¢ All others: 5¢
Handling Fee	Brand-sorted containers: 4¢ Commingled brands: 3.5¢
% of Beverage Units Sold Covered by Deposit	46%
Population with Curbside Access	76%

Find a Bottle & Can Redemption Center in Vermont

The state government has published a list of certified redemption centers in Vermont.

Guam

With the Bottle Bills established in 2010, Guam territory accepts sealed containers in glass, metal, and plastic. In addition, they’re limited to malt, ale, beer, spirits, blended wines, and non-alcoholic drinks. However, this doesn’t include supplements, milk, and medicines containers.

Unfortunately no stats are available for this territory.

Find a Bottle & Can Redemption Center in Guam

The official government website doesn’t offer any list of redemption centers. Hence, head over to Google and type “bottle and can redemption centers in Guam” to find centers easily.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Bottle Bill

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the bottle bill in US.

Can you return cans too?

Yes, you can return cans in states with the bottle bill legislation.

Moreover, collecting and recycling cans is an excellent way to earn extra money. Furthermore, you can get it from your family, friends, and neighbors.

Which state pays the most for aluminum cans?

Actually, ten states already have bottle bills in the U.S. Nonetheless, not everyone pays the same for aluminum cans as bottles. Accordingly, you can earn the most in states that pay 10¢ per can. However, only two states in the U.S. pay this rate (Michigan and Oregon).

Can you return cans from other states?

No. In fact, you can’t return cans from one state to another.

Besides, cross-state redemption of bottles and cans is even banned in some places. Moreover, there’s a reason for that!

For example, the deposit you paid for the container you bought in California has been paid to the California state. So, it’s illegal to collect refunds on the same container in another state.

In addition, the Bottle Bill Resource Guide says there are penalties for returning beverage packaging from another state. Moreover, it may even go up to $25,000 per transaction or $100 per bottle.

Can you make money from collecting bottles and cans?

Yes, as the bottle bill provides refunds for the deposit you paid.

Here, I’ll list how much you can get for the same in the ten states with bottle bills.

State	Value of deposit bottles
California	5¢ (<24oz) and 10¢ (≥24oz)
Connecticut	5¢
Hawaii	5¢
Iowa	5¢
Maine	5¢ (non-alcoholic) and 15¢ (wine/liquor)
Massachusetts	5¢
Michigan	10¢
New York	5¢
Oregon	10¢
Vermont	5¢ (non-alcoholic) and 15¢ (Liquor)
Guam	5¢

Is there a limit on bottle and can returns?

Yes. However, the bottle deposit legislation stipulates a redemption limit that varies from state to state.

State	Limitations
California	50 each of plastic, glass, aluminum, and bi-metal.
Connecticut	No limits unless imposed by the store.
Hawaii	No limits.
Iowa	120 in stores and 500 in redemption centers.
Maine	Dealer can limit to 240 or above.
Massachusetts	120 containers by retailers may be imposed. However, there aren’t any limits.
Michigan	$25 in value.
New York	240
Oregon	144
Vermont	No limits specified.
Guam	No limits specified.

Additionally, you have to share contact information when returning more than 2,500 containers at once.

Why do we not have the bottle bill in all of the states in the USA?

Bottle deposit refunds are legislations that add value to recycling. Unfortunately, very few states have it. However, it’s the fault of many, not one.

For example, the Vermont bottle bill banned beer sales in non-refillable containers in 1953. Hence, it’s the legwork of politicians and manufacturers.

There’s heavy lobbying against beverage bottle manufacturers in states without bottle bills.

So, here’s their list:
● Coca-Cola
● Anheuser Busch
● Can Manufacturers Institute
● Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
● Grocery Manufacturer’s Association
● National Grocer’s Association

Moreover, these proponents have outspent 30:1 “to defeat ballot initiatives over the past twenty years.”