Bottle Bill Resource Guide

Name  Beverage Container Recovery Law
Purpose To provide an economic incentive for consumers to return used beverage containers and encourage conservation of materials and energy through recycling and reuse.
Enacted Legislative override of governor's veto, 6/4/81
Date Implemented 1/1/1983
Regulations Massachusetts General Laws, Part I, Title XV, Chapter 94, Sections 321-327
Beverages Covered Beer, malt, carbonated soft drinks, & mineral water
Containers Covered Any sealable bottle, can, jar, or carton of glass, metal, plastic, or combo. Excludes biodegradables.
Amount of Deposit
Reclamation System Retail stores and redemption centers
Handling Fee Redemption Centers - 3.25¢[b]; retailers - 2.25¢
Unredeemed Deposits 100% goes to the Commonwealth's General Fund
Return Rate

Overall Rate (Calendar Year)[1]:

2022: 38%
2021: 38%
2020: 43% (redemption rate reflects the impact of reduced in-person redemption during the Covid pandemic) 
2019: 50%
2018: 52%
2017: 57%
2016: 56%
2015: 59%
2014: 66%
2013: 66%
2012: 66%
2011: 68%
2010: 71%
2009: 70%
2008: 66%
2007: 66%

% of All Beverages Sold That Are Covered By Deposit 40% [2]


Details

Wholesalers must file monthly reports with the Department of Revenue regarding deposits & refunds. [3]

In 1982, a repeal of Massachusetts' deposit law was struck down with a 60% to 40% vote. 

Footnotes

[1] Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection E-mail Communication with Sean Sylver. April 27, 2023.

[2] "2019 Beverage Market Data Analysis." Container Recycling Institute. 2022.

[3] Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

 

Last Updated on May 15, 2023.

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Contact - Massachussets

For information on labeling requirements, please contact your government agency.

Government

Sean Sylver
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
1 Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108-4746
P: (617) 292-5747
Bottle Bill Hotline:  (617) 556-1054   E: [email protected]

Organizations

MassPIRG (MA Public Interest Research Group) 
Janet S. Domenitz
Executive Director, MASSPIRG
294 Washington St, Ste 500
Boston, MA 02108
E: [email protected]
Twitter: @Janet_MASSPIRG
P: (617) 747-4320
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/masspirg

Just Zero
Kirstie Pecci
Executive Director
122 McGilpin Rd.
Sturbridge, MA 01566
E: [email protected]
P: (508) 347-5507