Iowa's Beverage Container Deposit Law

Begun as a litter control measure in 1979, Iowa's Beverage Container Deposit Law has become even more effective as a waste reduction and recycling program, supported solely by consumer participation and consumer payment. Iowa consumers are highly in favor of continuing the program.

Roadside litter has been reduced. 38% overall reduction in roadside litter and a 79% reduction in bottle and can litter in 1980 according to a DOT survey.

Adds value to containers preventing them from becoming discarded trash

Reduces roadside maintenance costs

Reduces damage to crop and livestock: The Pennsylvania Farmers Association estimates bottle and can debris cost that state's farmers over $37 million in damages to machinery, crops, livestock, and lost time and wages.

Improves aesthetics

Today there are very few refillable containers, almost all containers are potential litter

No taxes. More than $78 million flows through the economy every year because of the five cent deposit.

Nickel deposit/refund pays for the entire program

No taxes are involved. Consumer saves from less landfilling and roadside cleanup costs. Handlers receive a one cent handling fee per container. Prior to the law, stores received nothing for handling refillable returnable containers. The result is more than $1.5 million in payments to grocery stores and other redemption sites.

Major waste reduction. More than 1,000,000 cubic yards of waste has been diverted from Iowa landfills - enough to fill the UNI Dome to overflowing!

Provides major help in reaching Iowa Code's waste reduction goals. In the past 20 years, more than 41,000 fewer garbage trucks loads have gone to Iowa's landfills because of the redemption laws.

With convenient retail redemption, it performs well in rural Iowa where other programs (e.g. curbside recycling) are not available

Lowers cost of curbside recycling

Provides jobs and social benefits.

140+ redemption centers, sizes range from family-run to 25+ employees each

Sheltered workshops, employing developmentally disabled, are employed at many redemption centers

People like the Bottle Bill

87% of Iowans say beverage containers would be a serious litter problem
75% of Iowans favor banning non-returnable beer and soft drink containers
70+% of Americans support a national bottle bill
82% of Americans favor their state's bottle bill; only 6% disapprove