Iowa

Name	Beverage Container Deposit Law
Purpose	Litter Control
Enacted	4/1/1978
Implemented	Beer, soft drinks - May 1, 1979; wine/liquor - July 1, 1979
Beverages Covered	Beer, carbonated soft drinks & mineral water, wine coolers, wine & liquor
Containers Covered	any sealed glass, plastic, or metal bottle, can, jar or carton containing a beverage
Amount of Deposit	5¢
Redemption Rate	overall 86% (i)
Reclamation System	Retail stores and redemption centers
Unredeemed Deposits	Retained by distributor/bottlers
Handling Fee	1¢, paid by distributor to retailer or redemption center

Details

Deposit containers banned from landfills in 1990; retailer can refuse containers if agreement exists w/licensed redemption center.

The redemption rate was estimated at 93% in the year 2000[ii], but has decreased to an estimated 86% in 2009-2011.

[i] Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources, as per email from Bill Blum on 8/1/12, and “Bottle Deposit Law” http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/LandStewardship/WasteManagement/BottleDepositLaw.aspx Accessed August 1, 2012

[ii] Source: Iowa DNR, Waste Management Division, as per phone conversation with Jeff Geerts on 8/29/01 (year 2000 estimate).

Updated January 8, 2013