For the purpose of collecting commingled returnable containers and reducing the
number of sorts for redemption centers, the major Maine beer and wine distributors
have collectively formed the Maine Beer and Wine Commingling Group, LLC. Beginning
in July 2004, this company has allowed approved redemption centers to commingle
certain returnable containers distributed by its members. To discuss commingling
options, please contact one of your local wholesale distributors.
Distributors ensure their empty containers make it to a can or bottle recycling center or are disposed of in an environmentally-sound manner.
The purpose behind Maine's bottle bill is to encourage consumers to recycle
their empty beverage containers. The primary goal is to reduce the amount of
litter on the ground and decrease the amount of solid waste being sent to Maine
landfills.
Maine beer and wine distributors are responsible for their empty containers
once they are used and returned. As a result, our industry and the redemption
service it offers play a leading role in keeping Maine clean and green.
Here’s how the bottle bill works in Maine:
When Maine distributors sell beverages to retailers, they are required
by Maine law to charge a deposit to the retailer on each beverage container
sold.
The retailer then passes the container deposit along to the customer when
the beverages are purchased.
After they are consumed, the customer returns all of their empty Maine
bottles and cans to a redemption center for a refund of the deposits they paid.
The redemption center sorts the containers by material type and by the
company responsible for picking up the containers.
Distributors send trucks to redemption centers to pick up their empties.
They pay for the refunded deposits, and also pay a handling fee to the redemption
center for collecting and sorting the containers.
Finally, the distributors manage the process of recycling of the containers,
sending them out for processing and reuse, or ensuring they are disposed of
in an eco-friendly manner.
Joe Karter, Owner of Joka's Discount Beverage in Waterville, Maine, talks about the role of the distributor in the bottle redemption process and how the service from his local distributor helps his business succeed. He elaborates on the ability for Joka's to participate in the bottle redemption process and how it helps his local business to keep customers coming back on a regular basis.
Redemption Center Handling Fee Charges in ME:
$.040 per container, for non-commingling
$.035 per container, for commingling
(beginning 3/1/2010)
Redemption Center Handling Fee Charges in OTHER states:
California
Beverage manufacturers pay Processing Fees to offset recyclers
costs when the cost of recycling exceeds the value of material.
Processing Payments (1.8¢ per container) paid by state to
redemption centers
Connecticut
Beer 1.5¢, other beverages 2¢
Delaware
20% of deposit (1¢)
Hawaii
1-1.5¢ non-refundable container fee (added to price of beverage)
paid to the state
Iowa
1¢, paid by distributor to retailer or redemption center
Massachusetts
2.25¢
Maine
3.5¢ (3¢ if qualified commingling agreement)
Michigan
None
New York
3.5¢
Oregon
None
Vermont
3.5¢
Maine has an "expanded" bottle bill, which means many
more types of beverages are included (bottled waters, juices,
etc.), thus creating a much more complicated system with many
more "sorts" for redemption centers.
States with an "expanded" bottle bill: California,
Hawaii and Maine
States that include WINE in the bottle bill: California and
Maine
