A University of Michigan report offers recommendations to modernize the state’s bottle bill and can refund program to combat sagging return rates

Michigan has long been a leader when it comes to recycling in the United States, thanks in part to its so-called “bottle bill” that established a 10-cent deposit on carbonated drink containers.

But the state is coming off a year that saw an all-time low percentage of eligible bottles and cans returned since the bill’s implementation in 1978.

There are, however, ample opportunities to reverse that trend, according to a new report by the Center for Sustainable Systems, or CSS, at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS).

Accomplishing that would help reduce waste, support a circular economy and meet the state’s broader sustainability goals, but realizing that change will require modernization, the report said.

“Recycling is complicated, especially moving forward,” said CSS co-director Shelie Miller, a senior author of the report and a professor at SEAS. “When we talk about the bottle bill, it’s a 50-year-old law and a lot has happened since it went into place.”

The report, funded by the Council of the Great Lakes Region, or CGLR, identifies several opportunities that could help accomplish this modernization. That includes upgrading recycling technology and offering new return options for consumers to improve convenience. The report also highlights a potential source of funding that’s not currently used to support recycling—the millions of dollars made up of unclaimed deposit dimes.

“Long-standing policies can serve communities well, but to remain effective they must evolve with changing needs and priorities. At CGLR, we believe modernizing key systems—like deposit return programs—is essential not only for Michigan, but for the health and sustainability of the entire Great Lakes region,” said Lora Shrake, interim executive director of CGLR. “By updating these policies to improve outcomes and reinvest resources strategically, we can drive progress toward a stronger regional circular economy.”

Study: A Comprehensive Evaluation Of Michigan’s Bottle Deposit System

Read the full press release on the Michigan News website.