Vermont Bottle Bill History

  Original Law Solid Waste Act (1987) Current Law
Name Beverage Container Law
Purpose Reduce litter, increase recycling, reduce waste disposal costs, create local jobs and save energy
Enacted 4/7/1972 1987  
Implemented 7/1/1973 1/1/1991  
Beverages Covered   Liquor was included Beer, malt, carbonated soft drinks, mixed wine drinks; liquor
Containers Covered     Any bottle, can, jar or carton composed of glass, metal, paper, plastic or any combination (Biodegradables excluded)
Amount of Deposit     liquor: 15¢ All others: 5¢
Redemption Rate     overall 90-95% (l)
Reclamation System     Retail stores and redemption centers, If retailer is located conveniently near a licensed center and thereby gains state approval, retailer may refuse containers
Unredeemed Deposits     Retained by distributor/bottlers
Handling Fee   3.5¢
Notes      

Footnotes

[l] Vermont Solid Waste Division, as per phone conversation with Cathy Stacey on 9/24/01 (year 2000 estimate).