Container deposit legislation 1346922 226129212 2008-07-16T23:09:01Z 24.190.243.255 /* Systems Used to Collect Empty Containers */ [[Image:E8086-Bishkek-glass-bottle-collection-point.jpg|thumb|Refillable glass bottles collected, and deposits refunded, at a collection point in [[Bishkek]], [[Kyrgyzstan]]. Deposit values (from 0.5 to 2 [[Kyrgyz som]], i.e. 2-5 US cents) for various bottle types are posted next to the sample bottles on a rack.]] '''Container deposit legislation''' are [[law]]s passed by city, state, provincial, or national governments that require that a deposit on [[carbonation|carbonated]], milk, water or [[alcohol]]ic [[beverage]] containers be collected when the beverage is sold. When the container is returned to an authorized redemption center, or the original seller in some jurisdictions, the deposit is partially or completely refunded to the consumer. Governments may pass container deposit legislation for several reasons: * to encourage [[recycling]] and complement existing curbside recycling programs; * to specifically reduce beverage container [[litter]] along [[highway]]s, in lakes and rivers, and on other public or private properties (where beverage container litter occurs, a nominal deposit provides an economic incentive to clean it up; this is in fact a significant source of [[income]] to some [[homelessness|homeless]] individuals and [[non-profit]] civic organizations); * to extend the usable lifetime of taxpayer-supported community or regional landfills, and; * to protect children by effectively reducing the incidence of glass lacerations in childhood. Deposits that are not redeemed are often used by the governmental entity involved to fund environmental programs; sometimes they are used to cover the costs of processing returned containers. ==United States== [[Image:Bottle deposit.jpg|255px|thumb|right|Deposit notice on a bottle sold in Continental U.S., indicating the container's deposit value in various states.]] In the [[United States]], these laws are also popularly called '''bottle bills''' after the [[Oregon Bottle Bill]], the first container deposit legislation passed in the U.S. Efforts to pass container deposit legislation in the 39 states that do not have them are often politically contentious. The U.S. beverage container industry --- including both the bottlers of water, soda, [[beer]], and the [[corporate]] owners of grocery stores, and convenience stores --- often spends large amounts of money in the United States lobbying against the introduction of both new and amended beverage container deposit legislation. Studies show that beverage container legislation has reduced total roadside litter by between 30% and 64% in the states with bottle bills.<ref>[http://www.bottlebill.org/about/benefits/litter.htm Container Recycling Institute Links To Various Government Studies]</ref> Studies also show that the recycling rate for beverage containers is vastly increased with a bottle bill. The US beverage container recycling rate was 39.4% in 2001. States with bottle bills recycle approximately 78% while states lacking bottle bill legislation only recycle approximately 23%.<ref>[http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/10aug20040823/www.access.gpo.gov/congress/senate/pdf/107hrg/83716.pdf See Senate Testimony pg 124 RECYCLING: FEDERAL PROCUREMENT AND BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING PROGRAMS]</ref> In some states, such as California, the unredeemed bottle deposit money is put into a fund which provides grants for curbside recycling programs, clean up, and other related causes.<ref>[http://www.cawrecycles.org/issues/bottle_bill California's Bottle & Can Recycling Law—The Bottle Bill | Californians Against Waste<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===US States with Container Deposits=== According to 2004 U.S. Census Bureau statistics, approximately 30% of the U.S. population currently reside in states or territories with existing container deposit laws: * [[California]] (5 cents; 10 cents for bottles 24 fl oz or greater), implemented in 1987 and increased 25% in 2007; listed on containers as "Cash Return Value" or "CRV"; legislation pending that would expand program to include all plastic bottles (shampoo, food, etc)<ref>[http://www.cawrecycles.org/issues/current_legislation/sb1625_08 Legislation - SB 1625]</ref> * [[Connecticut]] (5 cents), 1980 * [[Delaware]] (5 cents), 1982 * [[Hawaii]] (5 cents), 2005 * [[Iowa]] (5 cents for containers that held [[carbonation|carbonated beverages]]), 1979 (also applies to [[wine]] bottles) * [[Maine]] (5 cents, also applied to fruit juice and [[bottled water]]; 15 cents for some wine bottles), 1978 * [[Massachusetts]] (5 cents), 1983 * [[Michigan]] (10 cents), 1978 (beer bottles were 5 cents until the 1980s) * [[New York]] (5 cents), 1982 * [[Oregon]] (5 cents), 1972 * [[Vermont]] (5 cents; 15 cents for most liquor bottles as of 1990), 1973 ===Systems Used to Collect Empty Containers=== Main Article: [[Reverse vending machine]] === Public safety === A study published within the October 1986 edition of the ''[[American Journal of Public Health]]'' demonstrated the effectiveness of Massachusetts bottle bill legislation toward reducing the incidence of glass lacerations among urban children. This research study followed Bay State efforts to enact bottle bill legislation with regard to Massachusetts children being treated for glass lacerations (before and after passage) and attributed a sixty per cent decline in reported childhood glass lacerations due to the legislative enactment of the Massachusetts bottle law. American Journal of Public Health<ref>[http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/76/10/1243 AJPH Abstract - The Impact of 'Bottle Bill' Legislation on the Incidence of Lacerations in Childhood.]</ref> Baker, Moore, and Wise. October 1986. v. 76, no. 10 '''See also''' * [[Oregon Bottle Bill]] ==Canada== Many provinces in Canada have deposit refund systems in place for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage containers: glass, plastic, aluminum, and tetrapak containers have deposit requirements in various provinces. Deposits range from 5¢ to 40¢ per unit. Ontario's system of deposit refunds for beer bottles, through the provincial government,<ref>[http://www.thebeerstore.ca/AboutUs/environmental_leadership.asp "Beer Store"]</ref> has close to a 98% return rate. The bottles can be cleaned and reused 15 to 20 times. Effective [[February 5]], [[2007]], Ontario's container deposit applies to wine, spirit and beer containers.<ref>[http://www.bagitback.ca/bagitback/en/residential/eligible_items_return_rates.shtml "Eligible Items & Return Rates"]</ref> ==Germany== [[Image:Aldi-Pfandrückgabeautomat.JPG|thumb|[[Reverse vending machine]] in an [[Aldi]] supermarket in Germany.]] In [[Germany]] container deposit legislation, known in colloquial usage as ''Einwegpfand'' (single-use deposit), was passed in 2002, and was implemented on [[January 1]], [[2003]]. However, its implementation was fought by [[lobbying group]]s of German bottling industry and [[retailer]]s. This fight also included [[Trial (law)|trials]] at the [[Federal Administrative Court of Germany]] and the [[Federal Constitutional Court of Germany]], but all trials were won by the German federal government. The deposit legislation does not cover containers for Fruit Juice, Wine, Spirits/Liquors and certain dietary drinks. The standard deposit for all single-use containers (Cans, single-use glass and plastic bottles): [[Euro|€]] 0.25 The deposits for reusable bottles are not regulated by law since they are the private business of the individual beverage manufacturer and can therefore vary in rate. Nonetheless there are some standard rates that are widely used : *glass-bottles for most beer and beer mixed drinks (usually up to 0.5 litre) : € 0.08 *Reusable glass and plastic bottles for most soft drinks (usually up to 2 litres): € 0.15 *Reusable glass bottles of a special kind and design (usually flip-top bottles for beer): between € 0.15 - € 0.50 Before introduction of the euro, deposit was 15 [[Pfennig]] for reusable (beer) glass-bottles and usually 30 [[Pfennig]] for reusable glass and plastic bottles. ==Scandinavia== Container deposit legislation is widespread in [[Scandinavia]]. In some cases it replaced legislations which forbid the selling of some types of beverage containers, particularly aluminium beverage cans. ===Denmark=== In [[Denmark]] the selling of aluminium beverage cans was forbidden between 1982 and 2002. However this regulation violated [[European Union law]]. Therefore the [[EU]] forced Denmark to replace it, and the new legislation, passed in 2002, was in fact a container deposit legislation. It established the following container deposits: *Refillable glass bottles up to and incl. 0.5 litre: 1.00 [[DKK]] *Refillable glass bottles over 0.5 litre: 3.00 DKK *Cans, glass and plastic bottles under 1 litre: 1.00 DKK *Exception: Plastic bottles of 0.5 litre: 1.50 DKK *Cans, glass and plastic bottles of 1 litre and over: 3.00 DKK ===Norway=== [[Image:Container deposit machine.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Tomra]] reverse vending machine in [[Hammerfest]], Norway]] Similarly to the situation in Denmark, the selling of aluminium beverage cans was forbidden in [[Norway]] up until the end of the 20th century. In 1999 a container deposit legislation was passed, which also abolished this regulation. Today, there are the following container deposits in Norway: *Cans, glass and plastic bottles up to 0.5 litre: 1.00 [[Norwegian krone|NOK]] *Cans, glass and plastic bottles over 0.5 litre: 2.50 NOK *Bottle crates are also reverse vended. [[Norsk Resirk]]<ref>[http://www.resirk.no/sw1936.asp Norsk Resirk :: Home<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> is the non-profit system founded [[3 May]] [[1999]] and co-owned by various organisations in trade and industry that handles the depositing and recycling non-refillable plastic bottles and beverage cans in Norway. The Norwegian system works in such a way that the excise tax decreases as the returns increases, meaning that for example 90 per cent returns for cans translates into a 90 per cent discount on the excise tax. This again allows drink products to be sold at lower prices. In 2005 93% of all recyclable bottles and 80% of all drink cans in Norway returned into the deposit and recycling system. That year also saw 280 million NOK in deposits being paid for the return of 194 million cans and 49 million bottles. Deposits on drink containers have a long history in Norway, starting with deposits on beer bottles in 1902. The deposit back then was 0,06 NOK (3,30 NOK in 2006 currency value). This deposit arrangement was later expanded to include soft drink bottles. Up until [[1 January]] the [[Vinmonopolet]] government wine and spirits monopoly chain had deposits on products made by the company itself, this did not include imported products. Today drink containers can be returned and deposits retrieved at over 9000 establishments in Norway, and there are almost 3000 [[reverse vending machine]]s where drink containers can be exchanged for receipts that can be cashed in at the counter. Most reverse vending machines in Norway are manufactured by [[Tomra|Tomra Systems ASA]]. ===Sweden=== In [[Sweden]], there are deposits on nearly all containers for consumption-ready beverages. Of the [[aluminium]] cans and [[Polyethylene terephthalate|PET]] bottles that affected by the deposit that are sold, 86% are returned.<ref name="sr-steelcans">{{cite web|title=Pant även på stålburkar|publisher=[[Sveriges Radio]]|url=http://sr.se/ekot/arkiv.asp?Artikel=762003|date=2005-12-27|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> The return rates for the two glass bottle types are 99% and 90% respectively.<ref name="glassbottle33cl">{{cite web|title=33 cl glasflaskan|publisher=Sveriges Bryggerier|url=http://www.sverigesbryggerier.se/emballage/flaskor-och-burkar/glasflaskor-33-cl.html|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref><ref name="glassbottle50cl">{{cite web|title=50 cl glasflaskan|publisher=Sveriges Bryggerier|url=http://www.sverigesbryggerier.se/emballage/flaskor-och-burkar/glasflaskor-50-cl.html|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> AB Svenska Returpack is responsible for the deposit system for aluminium cans and PET bottles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fakta om Returpack|publisher=AB Svenska Returpack|url=http://www.returpack.se/flash.php?pageId=106|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> The aluminum cans have had a deposit since 1984, and PET bottles since 1994. Svensk GlasÅtervinning AB is responsible for the deposit system of glass bottles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Om du har producentansvar|publisher=Svensk Glasåtervinning|url=http://www.glasbanken.com/user/sga_article.asp?database=11&id=42|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Svensk Glasåtervinning|publisher=Sveriges Bryggerier|url=http://www.sverigesbryggerier.se/emballage/flaskor-och-burkar/glasflaskor-svensk-glasatervinning.html|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> The bottles were first standardized in [[1885]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Standard sedan 1885|publisher=Svergies Bryggerier|url=http://www.sverigesbryggerier.se/emballage/glasflaskor.html|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> Until 1998, the hard alcohol and wine bottles sold at [[Systembolaget]] — the government owned alcohol retail monopoly — had a deposit as well, but due to the deregulation of the Systembolaget's suppliers, the former sole supplier [[V&S Group]] dropped the deposit on their bottles due to the restricted bottle shapes giving V&S a disadvantage compared to the competitors. The bottles could be returned and deposit refunded until early 1999 at Systembolaget.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sista chansen att panta vin- och spritflaskor|publisher=[[Aftonbladet]]|url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/telegram/0,1082,1269668_INR_p_,00.html|date=1999-02-21|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> The legislation regarding container deposit systems was updated so that from [[January 1]] [[2006]] containers from other plastics and metals, e.g. steel cans, can be included in the deposit systems.<ref>{{cite web|title=Svensk författningssamling SFS 2005:220|publisher=[[Parliament of Sweden]]|url=http://62.95.69.3/SFSdoc/05/050220.PDF|date=2005-04-14|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref><ref name="sr-steelcans"/> The law also makes it illegal in Sweden to sell consumption-ready beverages in containers that are not part of an authorized Swedish container deposit system, with the exception of beverages that mainly consist of dairy products or vegetable, fruit, or berry juice. *Cans: 0.50 [[Swedish krona|SEK]]<ref name="returpack-burken">{{cite web|title=Fakta om burken|publisher=AB Svenska Returpack|url=http://www.returpack.se/flash.php?pageId=58|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> *0.33 [[Litre|L]] glass bottle: 0.60 SEK<ref name="glassbottle33cl"/> *0.50 L glass bottle: 0.90 SEK<ref name="glassbottle50cl"/> *≤ 1 L non-refillable PET bottle: 1.00 SEK<ref name="returpack-pet">{{cite web|title=Fakta om PET|publisher=AB Svenska Returpack|url=http://www.returpack.se/flash.php?pageId=59|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> *> 1 L non-refillable PET bottle: 2.00 SEK<ref name="returpack-pet"/> The 1.5 L refillable PET bottle with a deposit of 4.00 SEK has been discontinued, and has been replaced by the 1.5 L non-refillable PET bottle. The last day for returning bottles made by [[Spendrups]] for deposit was [[30 June]], [[2007]],<ref>{{cite press release|title=Viktig information angående 4:- pant för hårda retur-PET flaskor Sverige|publisher=Sveriges Bryggerier|date=July 2007|url=http://www.sverigesbryggerier.se/pressrum/enskilda-nyheter-2007/0707-pressmed%20pant%20for%20harda%20retur-pet.pdf|format=PDF|language=Swedish|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> and the last day for bottles made by [[Coca-Cola]] Sweden was [[30 June]], [[2008]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Pant upphör 30 juni 2008|publisher=Sveriges Bryggerier|url=http://www.sverigesbryggerier.se/emballage/pant%204%20kr.html|accessdate=2008-07-02}}</ref> ===Finland=== {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} *Aluminum cans: 0.15 [[Euro|€]] *0.33 [[Litre|L]] glass bottle: 0.10 € *Bottles of wine and liquors (returned to [[Alko]]): 0.10€ *0.50 L refillable PET bottle: 0.20 € *1.50 L refillable PET bottle: 0.40 € ==Australia== The state of [[South Australia]] has a refund of 5 cents per can or bottle. It will be raised to 10c in late 2008. In the 1970s deposits ranged from 20c for a 30 oz bottle and 10c for a 10 oz and 6 1/2 oz bottle. With the introduction of plastic and non re-usable bottles the deposit was reduced to 5c (including aluminium cans). A recent innovation has seen the deposit extended to paper cartons eg. flavoured milk and orange juice. The Beverage Container Act 1975 (SA) governs the levying and refund of deposits. The value of deposits and the scope of their application have been influenced by the Australian federal constitution's guarantee of free trade between the states. The defining case in this issue was the attempt to introduce a differential between re-usable and re-cyclable bottle deposits. The issue was taken to the High Court of Australia - [[Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia]]. Around 600 people are employed in the recovery of bottles in South Australia. Groups such as the Scouts operate container refund depots.<ref>[http://www.greens.org.nz/searchdocs/other7680.html What are Bottle Bills - Green Party<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> While there are professional collectors who collect on an arranged basis from particular venues (eg pubs and restaurants), usually operating small trucks for the job, there are also many socially marginalised collectors who forage in refuse bins etc for discarded deposit bottles; these collectors often travel by bicycle, sometimes with relatively elaborate and inventive modifications to allow them to carry the bulky loads of bottles they find. Attempts to introduce similar legislation in other states have been unsuccessful to date. ==External links== *[http://www.reversevending.co.uk/deposit_systems.php Deposit System Administration] *[http://www.bottlebill.org Container Recycling Institute] *[http://bottlebill.blogspot.com The Bottle Bill Blog] *[http://www.cawrecycles.org/issues/bottle_bill California's Bottle Bill] *[http://www.tnbottlebill.org Tennessee Bottle Bill Project] *[http://tennesseebottlebill.blogspot.com Tennessee Bottle Bill Blog] *[http://jeffords.senate.gov/~jeffords/press/03/11/11172003bottle.html Senator Jim Jefford's National Bottle Bill] * [http://www.iowabottlebillcoalition.com Iowa Bottle Bill Coalition] *[http://www.hawaii.gov/health/environmental/waste/sw/hi5/index.html Hawaii Dept of Health Bottle Deposit Law Site] *[http://www.wvbottlebill.org WV Bottle Bill] *[http://www.cnie.org/NLE/CRS/abstract.cfm?NLEid=15899 Abstract: Congressional Research Service 93-114 ENR. “Bottle Bills and Curbside Recycling: Are They Compatible?”] *[http://www.cnie.org/nle/crsreports/pollution/plgen-3.cfm Congressional Research Service 93-114 ENR. “Bottle Bills and Curbside Recycling: Are They Compatible?”] *[http://www.cnie.org/NLE/ National Library for the Environment] *[http://www.dansk-retursystem.dk/ Dansk Retursystem A/S - operater of the Danish deposit and return system (in Danish and English)] *[http://www.resirk.no/sw153.asp Norsk Resirk - operator of the Norwegian deposit and return system (in Norwegian and English)] *[http://www.recyclesa.com.au/ Recyclers of South Australia Inc] *[http://www.bordertownrecycling.com.au/ Bordertown Recycling Depot] *[http://mdbottlebill.blogspot.com Maryland Bottle Bill Blog] == Footnotes == {{Reflist|2}} [[Category:Waste legislation]] [[Category:Environmental law]] [[Category:Recycling]] [[Category:United States waste legislation]] [[Category:Waste organisations]] [[da:Flaskepant]] [[de:Einwegpfand]] [[nl:Statiegeld]] [[no:Flaskepant]]