Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) in the United States
Deposit return schemes (DRS)—a.k.a. "bottle bills"—are one of the oldest recycling-focused regulatory approaches in the United States. On this page, we provide an overview of the DRSs for beverage packaging across ten US states: Oregon, California, Maine, New York, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont, Hawaii, Michigan, and Massachusetts.
Explore DRS in the US
Mitch Webster
Introduction to Bottle Bills in the United States
In this article, we dive into the world of deposit return schemes (DRS) and the "bottle bills" in the United States. This is part 1 of an 11-part series in which we explore the bottle bills in 10 US states.
2024/12/06
Mitch Webster
Alli Keigley
Exploring Vermont's Bottle Bill
In this article, we cover Vermont's bottle bill (Beverage Container Law), which was introduced in 1972. Read more about what the law covers and exempts and the bill’s impact, including redemption rates and PET, aluminum, and glass recycling rates (2018 data).
2024/12/18
Mitch Webster
Alli Keigley
Oregon’s Bottle Bill Explained
In this article, we cover Oregon's bottle bill (HB 10636), passed in 1971, which established the first deposit return scheme (DRS) in the United States. Read more about what's included and exempt and the impact of Oregon's bottle bill—including redemption rates and PET, aluminum, and glass recycling rates (2018 data).
2024/12/18
Mitch Webster
Alli Keigley
Exploring Hawaii’s Bottle Bill
In this article, we cover Hawaii's bottle bill, the Deposit Beverage Container (DBC) Program, which was introduced in 2005. We explore what's included and exempt and the impact of Hawaii’s DRS by looking at redemption rates and PET, aluminum, and glass recycling rates (2018 data).
2024/12/18
Mitch Webster
Alli Keigley
Exploring California's Bottle Bill
In this article, we cover California's bottle bill, the Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act (AB 2020), which was introduced in 1986. We explore what's included and exempt and the impact of California’s DRS by looking at redemption rates and PET, aluminum, and glass recycling rates (2018 data).
2024/12/18
Mitch Webster
Alli Keigley
Exploring Massachusetts's Bottle Bill
In this article, we cover Massachusetts's bottle bill (Provisions for Recycling of Beverage Containers), which was introduced in 1983. We explore what's included and exempt and the impact of Massachusetts’s DRS by looking at redemption rates and PET, aluminum, and glass recycling rates (2018 data).
2024/12/18
Mitch Webster
Alli Keigley
Maine’s Bottle Bill Explained
In this article, we cover Maine's bottle bill, the Returnable Beverage Container Law, which was introduced in 1978. We explore what's included and exempt and the impact of Maine’s DRS by looking at redemption rates and PET, aluminum, and glass recycling rates—which led the nation in all categories in 2018.
2024/12/18
Mitch Webster
Alli Keigley
Connecticut's Bottle Bill Explained
In this article, we cover Connecticut's bottle bill (Beverage Container Deposit & Redemption Law), which was introduced in 1978. We explore what's included, exempt, and the impact of DRS in Connecticut by looking at redemption rates and the recycling rates for PET, aluminum, and glass (2018 data).
2024/12/18
Mitch Webster
Alli Keigley
Iowa’s Bottle Bill Explained
In this article, we cover Iowa's bottle bill, the Beverage Containers Control Law, which was introduced in 1978. We explore what's included and exempt and the impact of Iowa’s DRS by looking at redemption rates and PET, aluminum, and glass recycling rates (2018 data).
2024/12/18
Mitch Webster
Alli Keigley
Exploring New York's Bottle Bill
In this article, we cover New York's bottle bill, the Returnable Container Act (RCA), which was introduced in 1982 as the third state bottle bill in the nation. We explore what's included and exempt and the impact of New York's DRS by looking at redemption rates and PET, aluminum, and glass recycling rates for (2018 data).
2024/12/18
Mitch Webster
Alli Keigley
Michigan’s Bottle Bill Explained
In this article, we cover Michigan's bottle bill (Bottle Deposit Law), which was introduced in 1976. We explore what's included and exempt and the impact of Michigan’s DRS by looking at redemption rates and PET, aluminum, and glass recycling rates (2018 data).
2024/12/18
US States with a DRS for Beverage Containers | August 2026
Example of a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM)
Connecticut Bottle Bill Redemption Rates - 2009 to 2025: Container Recycling Institute Data
California Bottle Bill Redemption Rates - 2013 to 2025: Container Recycling Institute data
Hawaii Bottle Bill Redemption Rates - 2013 to 2025: Container Recycling Institute data
Michigan Bottle Bill Redemption Rates - 2013 to 2025: Container Recycling Institute data
Massachusetts Bottle Bill Redemption Rates - 2007 to 2025: Container Recycling Institute data
New York Bottle Bill Redemption Rates - 2013 to 2025: Container Recycling Institute data
Oregon Bottle Bill Redemption Rates - 2012 to 2025: Container Recycling Institute data
Maine Bottle Bill Redemption Rates - 2020 to 2025: Container Recycling Institute data
Vermont Bottle Bill Redemption Rates - 2020 to 2025: Container Recycling Institute data
