Have a question about Michigan’s bottle and can return system? We may already have an answer! If you think we may have already answered your question before, we invite you to browse our list of frequently asked questions below.
Our Frequently Asked Questions
Michigan’s Bottle Deposit Law, enacted in 1976, requires consumers to pay a 10-cent deposit on certain beverage containers. This deposit is refunded when the empty container is returned at a bottle room or to a retailer.
The law plays a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability by reducing litter, encouraging recycling, and conserving resources. By incentivizing the return of beverage containers, it helps keep Michigan’s beaches, rivers, and roadways clean.
Michigan’s Bottle Deposit Law is one of the most successful in the United States, offering the highest deposit amount at 10 cents per container. This higher deposit has led to one of the nation’s highest recycling rates, significantly outperforming states with lower or no deposit requirements. This success has made Michigan a model for effective beverage container recycling.
The law covers carbonated beverages such as pop, beer, and carbonated water sold in aluminum, glass, or plastic containers.
Grocery stores that sell eligible containers are required by law to pay back the 10¢ deposit when a consumer returns them to the store to be recycled.
Yes, you can return containers to any retailer that sells the same type of beverage, regardless of where you originally purchased the product. Some retailers may have specific hours or machines for returns, so it’s best to check with the store.
For a container to be eligible for a deposit refund, it must be in reasonably good condition, with a readable barcode that the retailer can scan. Severely damaged containers or those missing labels may not be accepted.
Retailers can limit the number of containers a customer can return in a single visit. However, this may vary by location.
If a retailer refuses to accept eligible containers, you can report the issue to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Retailers are legally obligated to accept and refund deposits on eligible containers.
Yes, retailers who fail to comply with the Bottle Deposit Law can face fines and other penalties. Compliance ensures that the law’s environmental benefits are fully realized.
Unclaimed deposits are transferred to the state of Michigan and the funds support environmental cleanup and conservation efforts. This ensures that even if containers aren’t returned, the money still benefit Michigan’s environment.
The Bottle Deposit Law significantly reduces litter and waste in Michigan. It has led to one of the highest beverage container recycling rates in the country, keeping millions of containers out of landfills and waterways every year.
The law creates jobs in recycling and waste management, reduces the costs of litter cleanup for municipalities, and supports local businesses by encouraging consumers to return to stores for refunds.
Yes! Many organizations and charities gladly accept deposit beverage containers as donations. Check with your local animal shelters, little league teams, schools, and various community groups to see if they have specific collection programs or guidelines in place.
