Maryland
The 2013 deposit bill
| Bill Number and Name | SB394, Statewide Container Recycling Refund Program  Bill text |
|---|---|
| Primary Sponsor | Senator Frosh |
| Beverages Covered | Beer and malt, carbonated and noncarbonated soft drinks, juice, water, tea, and coffee. Excludes syrup, drugs, supplements, dairy drinks, wine, spirits. |
| Containers Covered | Sealed glass, metal, plastic cans and bottles, 6-101.5 fl. oz.. Excludes refillable containers |
| Deposits | 5¢ |
| Handling Fees | 1¢ |
| Other Fees / Taxes | None |
| Reclamation System | Redemption centers |
| Unredeemed Deposits | Property of the state (Container Recycling Refund Program Fund) |
Details
Beverage distributors are required to register with the Department of the Environment.
Redemption centers must be established based on county-set convenience zones.
Distributors initiate the deposit by paying it to the comptroller the month after the initial sale. Retailers are required to pay the deposit to the distributor upon sale to the retailer. Consumers pay the deposit to the retailer at the point of sale.
Consumers return empties to redemption centers for a refund. At least one redemption center must exist within each convenience zone. Redemption centers must ensure that containers are recycled by recycling facilities.
Establishes conditions under which redemption centers can refuse to pay the refund, maximum limits on number of containers a consumer can redeem per day.
Redemption centers are paid by the comptroller the refund value of every container they accept, plus a handling fee of 1¢, on a monthly basis.
Establishes the Container Recycling Refund Program Fund, for paying handling fees and refunds, administering the program, funding other state recycling and environmental programs.
Progress
The bill was read in the Finance and Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs committee, but was allowed to die in committee without a vote.
