Exploring Massachusetts's Bottle Bill
12/18/2024

Massachusetts | Provision for Recycling of Beverage Containers

The state of Massachusetts introduced their bottle bill in 1983, with the Provisions for Recycling of Beverage Containers. According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the bill was initially introduced to reduce litter and conserve natural resources in the state. Similar to other bottle bills in the United States, the bottle bill for Massachusetts has undergone a handful of amendments since 1983, including in 2003, 2010, and more. See the full change history here.

What’s Included?

According to Mass.gov, the Massachusetts bottle bill covers and exempts the following:

Beverages Covered: carbonated soft drinks and sodas, beer and malt beverages, and sparkling and mineral water.

Containers Covered: sealable cans, jars, and bottles made of metal, plastic, glass, or a mix of materials that are less than two gallons. 

Exemptions: wine, dairy, and milk products, natural fruit juices, non-carbonated drinks, all alcoholic beverages other than beer. The legislation also excludes containers labeled as “biodegradables.

What’s the Refund Value?

The refund value for Massachusetts’s bottle bill is five cents USD for all covered beverages.

Impact of DRS in Massachusetts

Similar to Hawaii and Vermont, when compared to other states with bottle bills, the recycling rates in Massachusetts for PET, aluminum, and glass are average. When compared to the national averages, Massachusetts shows the impact of DRS schemes.

Massachusetts’s PET recycling rate for 2018 of 31% is 11.96% higher than the national average (19.04%). 

Massachusetts’s aluminum recycling rate for 2018 of 74% is 42.72% higher than the national average (31.28%). 

Massachusetts’s glass recycling rate for 2018 of 57% is 31.14% higher than the national average (25.86%). 

*data from 50 States of Recycling 2.0 by Ball Corporation & Eunomia

Read more on Massachusetts’s bottle bill here.

Read about the bottle bills in the nine other US states here.

Want to Go Further?
Dive into a comprehensive course crafted by subject-matter experts.
Related Lessons
Who We Are

The Packaging School brings together the business, art, and science of packaging so you can lead projects, optimize supply chains, increase margins, and develop sustainable solutions.

Our company headquarters are located in Greenville, SC. Please reach out to us at 864-412-5000 or info@packagingschool.com.

Stay Up To Date

Be the first to know about new classes and the latest tools to maximize your knowledge.

By signing up you indicate you have read and agree to our Terms of Use. Packaging School will always respect your privacy.

Certifications

Certificate of Mastery in Packaging Management

Certificate of Packaging Science

Automotive Packaging Certificate

Certificate of Sustainable Packaging

Food Packaging Certificate

Courses
All Courses

Automotive

Business

Design

Food & Beverage

Industry

Materials

The Packaging School Logo
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education License #5400
Copyright © 2015-2022 The Packaging School, LLC. All Rights Reserved.