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Tag Archives: container deposits

Michigan’s bottle bill at a crossroads

Published: November 10, 2025
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Bottle return at a reverse vending machine.

The state’s program was once considered a national leader, achieving redemption rates topping 95%, but showed a significant drop by 2024, a recent report showed. | Veja / Shutterstock

A new report from the University of Michigan warns that the state’s signature 10-cent bottle deposit system is faltering, with redemption rates dropping to their lowest level in decades and structural gaps threatening the program’s ability to support Michigan’s recycling and climate goals. Continue Reading

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Containerboard prices begin slow recovery

Published: September 16, 2025
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As US mills cut capacity, e-commerce sales and a shift in trade tensions could boost recovery for containerboard pricing. | Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

The North American containerboard industry is slowly recovering from a post-COVID inventory contraction and demand is expected to bounce back at a “modest” 0.53% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2027, according to Rabobank’s Q3 2025 report.

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Bottle bill advocates take stock of wins, hurdles this year

Published: July 15, 2025
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Container deposit proposals saw significant progress in Texas, Maryland and Rhode Island, but did not pass in any state. | Stella Photography/Shutterstock

As state legislative sessions for the year have largely concluded, supporters of container deposit legislation recently reflected on a year that brought new twists on how bottle bills are proposed and saw support from some unlikely stakeholders. Continue Reading

Study explores reusable containers in California DRS

Published: June 10, 2025
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Returning a plastic beverage bottle for deposit at a reverse vending machine.

Eunomia and the Story of Stuff Project found the state would need about $1.9 billion in capital investment over 12 years to meet stated targets, and provided sample scenarios. | Rokas Tenys/Shutterstock

Consulting firm Eunomia and the Story of Stuff Project have published a feasibility study on how a reusable beverage system in California could be integrated into the state’s existing deposit return system. Continue Reading

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DRS program changes and delays

Published: June 10, 2025
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Empty PET water bottles for recycling.

On opposite sides of the country, Maine and California are both adjusting their bottle bills. | Billion Photos/Shutterstock

California is finalizing the implementation of changes to its deposit return system for beverage containers, while Maine legislators sent a bill to the governor that would delay previous passed changes.  Continue Reading

Oregon bottle bill to allow ‘alternative’ return centers

Published: June 3, 2025
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Bottle return at a reverse vending machine.

Oregon’s bottle bill, the oldest in the nation, could see some changes. | Veja/Shutterstock

Oregon state lawmakers recently approved a bill that allows the state to designate new redemption centers in Portland tailored toward canners — people who redeem containers on a daily or near-daily basis — and to allow retailers operating nearby to provide fewer redemption services. Continue Reading

Clock runs out this year for bottle bill in Texas

Published: May 20, 2025
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Andrew Yahin/Shutterstock

Using data including state litter studies, the bill moved farther along than previous efforts, lending optimism to its potential to pass in 2027. | Andrew Yahin/Shutterstock

A bipartisan bill in Texas to introduce a bottle deposit return system ran out of time for a state House vote, but supporters see cause for optimism after a strong showing during the recently concluded biennial legislative session. 

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EPR bills active in Washington state

Published: March 18, 2025
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There are three extended producer responsibility for packaging bills active in Washington right now, and many more for EPR covering other materials. | Zack Frank/Shutterstock

Washington state has a handful of extended producer responsibility bills on the move, covering packaging, beverage containers, organics and more.  Continue Reading

How a national deposit could drive can recovery

Published: February 4, 2025
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A report from the Container Recycling Institute explored deposit return systems at various levels, aluminum can design and markets and material loss over the recycling process. | Mikkel H. Petersen/Shutterstock

A national deposit return system would raise the U.S. UBC recycling rate to 85%, an analysis from the Container Recycling Institute found. Continue Reading

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