Shelby Review

The reopening of the economy has unleashed a tidal wave of returnable bottles and cans as retailers try to keep up with the flow built up since spring.

Since June 15, retailers have resumed collecting returnables, which has been marked by long lines. Representatives in the beverage distribution and processing industry estimate Michigan residents have stockpiled more than $80 million in returnable containers that will take an estimated six months to recycle, Bridge Michigan reported.

Amid the surge, a movement to rewrite the split of the pot has resurfaced, with industry representatives seeking a bigger piece of the pie.

Spencer Nevins, president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association | Michigan's Beer & Wine Distributors

Current law provides 75% of the pot goes toward the state Cleanup and Redevelopment Trust Fund, with the remainder going toward retailers, which helps offset expenses from the returns. That 75% brought in approximately $43 million last year. It supports the Michigan Department of Environment and Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).

Under new legislation, 50% would go to the state, retailers would retain 25%, with 20% to beverage distributors. The last 5% would be reserved for law enforcement to fight recycling fraud, according to Bridge Michigan.

There is opposition to the bill from the EGLE. Both contend it would not be enough to pay staff or provide resources to clean up contaminated sites.

There have been incidents where out-of-state visitors bring bottles and cans into Michigan for higher returns. A total of 10 states have bottle returns; most collect 5 cents per container compared to Michigan’s 10 cents per bottle, which is the highest in the nation, according to Bridge Michigan. Some states collect 15 cents for liquor or wine bottles.

“The current law doesn’t require [the state] to invest that money back into the infrastructure of the bottle bill,” said Spencer Nevins, president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, according to Bridge Michigan, pointing to trucks that collect returned bottles from retailers and equipment that sorts and crushes them for recycling.

There is also a piece of legislation on the table that would expand the deposit to water bottles and other non-carbonated beverage bottles. Both that and the legislation redrawing percentages are stuck with no signs of movement in the Legislature.