Iowa lawmakers consider scrapping bottle law

UPDATE: After 33 years, some Iowa lawmakers think the state's bottle bill has run dry.

House Study Bill 74 calls for repealing the bottle bill, which adds a nickel deposit on each can or bottle of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks sold in Iowa.

Although no action was taken Feb. 10, Rep. Ross Paustian, R-Walcott, said the bill likely will be moved to the full Environmental Protection Committee next week. The deposit, which is returned to consumers who redeem their cans and bottles, is no longer necessary, he said.

“With the recycling programs we have, we are way ahead of where we were when the bill was passed,” said Paustian, who chaired a subcommittee meeting on the proposal. “We had nothing then.”

The bill, which was sponsored by then Rep. Terry Branstad, has been credited with helping alleviate litter in public places. People collect cans and bottles to redeem them for the nickel deposits.

Branstad, now governor, has not taken a position on HSB 74, according to his spokesman. He's “open to conversation on any legislation that makes it easier for Iowans to recycle,” Tim Albrecht said. At the same time, Branstad wants to protect the environment “while making it easier for participating Iowans and businesses to use this system.”

Over the years, there have been attempts to increase the deposit and increase the amount redemptions centers get for handling the containers. Also, some lawmakers have proposed expanding the scope of the bill to include water bottles as well as juices, tea and sports drinks.

The Iowa State Association of Counties would like to see that. It opposes the repeal because county officials believe the law has been effective in keeping litter out of rural road ditches, a spokesperson said.

Paustian, a farmer, said he's familiar with the problem of letter in ditches along his fields.

“We clean it up ourselves,” he said, adding that the bottle bill doesn't help clean up the tires and garbage that get dumped along roadways.

Grocers, who have long sought changes in the bottle bill, argue that the containers are messy and present a health risk. Paustian agreed.

“I'd like to see grocery stores do what they do best and that's sell healthy, wholesome and safe foods,” he said. “It's a burden for them.”

Legislative leaders agreed Thursday that more recycling opportunities are available today than 33 years ago, but were largely non-committal on the proposal to repeal the bottle bill.

Asked about the potential loss of up to 200 jobs at redemption centers, Paustian said many are operating at a loss “so they are not going to make it if we stay status quo.”

Branstad will consider the job impact of repealing the bill, Albrecht said, adding the governor “believes that any system considered should be as good as or better than the system currently in place.”