I live in MI, we have a 10 cent bottle and can deposit but...?

Question

This is the problem, the deposit is required on all carbonated beverages and NOT on non-carbonated, what is the difference and why would it matter about the carbonation? I am curious whether this has other people stumped or not. Recycling is recycling whether it is a soda bottle or a water bottle!?

Answer 1

The law was voted in by THE PEOPLE. It is the state constitution and cannot be changed by anything but a vote of the PEOPLE!

Back in 1977 when the law was passed only beer and pop bottles littered the landscape and a dime was a lot. Today a dime is not squat. The law does allow 5 cent deposit for reusable bottles to encourage conservation.  Have you seen any nickel bottles lately.

Answer 2

I live in Michigan, too.  I am not sure why the difference.  Maybe because soda is a "luxury" and not a necessity like water?  But then what's the deal with juice? I think perhaps when the law went into effect, bottled water and other beverages weren't as popular as they are today.  Soda has always been a big seller.

Answer 3

i live in MI to and i have no clue why they have carbonation i wondering this myself!

Answer 4

I remember deposit bottles growing up as a kid in Georgia. I used to pick up bottles everywhere and take them to the local store for extra change.

No Deposit Bottles have been the norm in Georgia for over 30 years. At least your state takes some of them. Still, better than nothing and saves trips to the glass recycle center for the extra cash.

You may want to check for a glass recycling center in your area. Owens/Illinois Glass company often buys glass that is separated by colors. Clear, brown, green, etc. for recycling and pay so much cents per pound.

Answer 5

The proponents wanted to promote the consumption of drinks like milk and fruit juice.  They didn't foresee the rise of drinks like bottled tea and water or ready-made trash like juice boxes, and the alcohol lobby got wine and liquor exempted (returning an imported glass bottle would be a hassle).

I agree that it's time to put the deposit on more containers.

Answer 6

it could be a matter of not taxing water or a conspiracy against beer drinkers

Answer 7

i know right!!!!   michigans stupid for that one...........i live here two.... in grandrapids.....we have the same problem

Answer 8

I'm going to go with 2 possibilities - 1) carbonated beverages like pop/soda were more popular and thus posed more of a problem in terms of their waste in landfills, on the side of the road, etc. and 2) as already noted, as much as we like to think our Coke and beer are necessities they aren't really but having an extra "tax" on milk, water, etc. could be a problem, especially if it's items covered under WIC or similar programs. It's my understanding that Michigan has tried at least once to include at least some non-carbonated beverages? This might become more necessary as these types of beverages gain popularity.

On a side note, Michigan should be very proud of this deposit because it's often pointed to one of the real successes in people creating change, especially for the environment. This wasn't something that a government bureaucrat woke up one day and decided would be a good idea. People worked very hard to make this happen because they cared about what was happening with these containers.