Bottle law: No better plan in sight yet

Gazette Editorial Board

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Another year, another legislative attempt to fix bugs in the state's bottle deposit law. Bills calling for the repeal of Iowa's 33-year-old bottle law have been introduced in the state House and Senate this session, as they have so many times before.

Many feel the law is no longer relevant; many retailers tasked with collecting and refunding the deposits say the law is too burdensome. But the law's supporters say other recycling options aren't yet ready to handle the load that repealing the law would create.

After three decades, it's long time for redemption centers to get a bump in reimbursement.

But until there's a better plan to replace the long-standing and effective bottle deposit system - one that's viable statewide - we are wary of making changes in a law that was landmark legislation and has been successful in keeping Iowa roadsides cleaner.

Opponents of Iowa's can and bottle deposit system have legitimate complaints. Consumer habits have changed since Iowa's bottle bill was passed in 1978, opponents argue. A large variety of the single-serve beverage containers sold today aren't covered under the anti-littering law.

In that time, too, redemption centers have been forced to meet expenses with reimbursement of only a single penny per can or bottle. Costs have significantly increased in the past 33 years, but that reimbursement rate has not.

Because recycling options are more readily available today than they were when the legislation was passed, many retailers argue that can and bottle redemption is a relic, easily replaced by other alternatives. But the numbers show the bottle deposit system has been tremendously successful at reducing trash and waste.

According to the Iowa Recycling Association, of the 1.9 billion deposit-eligible beverage containers sold each year in Iowa, 86 percent are redeemed. Iowans annually recycle an average of 563 containers per person. The association credits the law we have.

We can't expect recycling programs as they are now to fully replace redemption centers. Curbside recycling is much more common in urban than rural areas, where there just are not enough customers to support the service.

Until there is a better option to replace the bottle bill, retailers deserve some relief from undue burdens they bear because of the law. Lawmakers shouldn't repeal it. They should amend it to give redemption centers another penny for their trouble and expense.

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