Bottle Deposits Make "cents"

The bottle deposit is one of the most practical environmental measures. The concept is simple. When a consumer purchases a container that should be recycled, the consumer is charged a deposit. The consumer then returns the container to any grocery store. The grocery store then returns the deposit to the consumer.

Bottle deposits essentially impose a small penalty on those who choose to turn their bottles into litter. The consumer does not lose any money in the deal, but has a financial incentive to return the container to be recycled. This ensures that virtually every bottle is recycled. If a consumer decides to not recycle, perhaps they leave the container as litter, then somebody else will pick up the litter, recycle it, and pocket the cash. In the end, few bottles are left as litter.

So what are the results of bottle deposits?

Streets and parks have less litter. Without a bottle deposit, we would have to pay tax dollars to hire somebody to pick up abandoned bottles. But with them, the litterer pays the cleaner, who will clean the litter for the money.

Interestingly, there is also an anti-poverty element in bottle deposits. I've been to many social events that create bags full of empty containers. I've found you can always count on poor or homeless people to happily take your empties. Generally people are happy to give their containers to the poor. Since the recipients have to do a little work (carry the containers to a grocery store), it does not feel like a welfare handout to either party.

The same goes for litter on the highway. Generally, people with more money are the ones who choose to forego the bottle deposit and litter their bottles. Then a disadvantaged person will pick up the container and reap the financial benefit. Bottle deposits facilitate redistribution from the rich to poor.

Only 11 states have bottle deposits. That means 40 states (including the District of Columbia) are dropping the "bottle" on recycling. Here are the states that currently have bottle deposits. I'm proud to announce that my state, Michigan, has the largest amount.

California - 5 cents
Connecticut - 5 cents
Delaware - 5 cents
Hawaii - 5 cents
Iowa - 5 cents
Maine - 5 cents
Massachusetts - 5 cents
Michigan - 10 cents
New York - 5 cents
Oregon - 5 cents
Vermont - 5 cents

If your state isn't listed, then it has dropped the "bottle" on recycling.

What do you think? How do you feel about having your state's bottle deposit or lack thereof? Is 5 or 10 cents per container enough to still make an impact?