| Name | Beverage Container Recovery Law |
| Purpose | To provide an economic incentive for consumers to return used beverage containers and encourage conservation of materials and energy through recycling and reuse |
| Enacted | Legislative override of governor's veto, 6/4/81 |
| Date Implemented | 1/1/1983 |
| Regulations | Massachusetts General Laws, Part I, Title XV, Chapter 94, Sections 321-327 |
| Beverages Covered | Beer, malt, carbonated soft drinks, & mineral water |
| Containers Covered | Any sealable bottle, can, jar, or carton of glass, metal, plastic, or combo. Excludes biodegradables. |
| Amount of Deposit | 5¢ |
| Reclamation System | Retail stores and redemption centers |
| Handling Fee | Redemption Centers - 3.25¢[b]; retailers - 2.25¢ |
| Unredeemed Deposits | 100% goes to the Commonweath's General Fund |
| Return Rate |
Overall Rate (Fiscal Year):
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Details
Wholesalers must file monthly reports with the Department of Revenue regarding deposit & refund.
In 1982, a repeal of Massachusett's deposit law was struck down with a 60% to 40% vote.
Footnotes
[a] Source: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection E-mail Communication with Sean Sylver 3/15/17.
[b] Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Last Updated on May 17 2022.