Bottle Bill Resource Guide

A Project of the Container Recycling Institute
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Iowa

 

Name Beverage Container Control Law
PurposeLitter Control and Promoting Recycling
Enacted4/1/1978
Date Implemented
  • Beer, soft drinks – 5/1/1979
  • Wine/liquor – 7/1/1979
RegulationsIowa Code, Chapter 455C and Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 567-107
Beverages Covered
  • Beer
  • Carbonated soft drinks
  • Mineral water (carbonated and noncarbonated)
  • Wine coolers
  • Wine & liquor
Containers Covered

“Any sealed glass, plastic, or metal bottle, can, jar or carton containing a beverage.”

Note 1: “Nips” (wine & liquor bottles ≤50 mL) are effectively included in the deposit law because they are not explicitly excluded.  However, Administrative Rule exempts them from needing deposit information labels. 

Note 2: Paper cartons (boxed wine, Tetra paks) are effectively excluded from the deposit law because they are not glass, plastic, or metal.

Amount of Deposit5¢
Unclaimed DepositsUnclaimed deposits are retained by beverage bottlers and distributors.
Reclamation SystemRetail stores and redemption centers
Handling Fee

Paid by distributor to retailer or redemption center:

Redemption centers and participating retailers: 3¢

Dealer Agents: 1¢

Deposit Beverage Container Redemption Rate
Material2013 [1]2016 [2]2022 [3]
Glass63%80%76%
Plastic64%51%56%
Aluminum84%62%42%
Total78%63%38%
% of All Beverages Sold That Are Covered By Deposit63% [3]

 

Details

Iowa has a bottle deposit system with a deposit of 5¢. In 1990, deposit containers were banned from landfills.

On June 17, 2022, SF2378 was signed into law. This bottle bill raised the handling fee to 3¢ per container for redemption centers and participating retailers, requires beverage manufacturers to register the deposit products they sell in Iowa, established enforcement for program violators, and allows retailers to opt out of redeeming containers if they meet specific criteria [4]. To opt out of the bottle deposit system, retailers must have an agreement for a mobile redemption system, or must be in a county with more than 30,000 people and within 10 miles of a redemption center, or in a county with fewer than 30,000 people and within 15 miles of a redemption center, or have an on-site government regulated controlled food preparation (regardless of how far the closest approved redemption center is). Non-partcipating retailers must post a notice identifying the nearest redemption center. The bill went into effect on January 1, 2023 and is administered and enforced by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Iowa does not collect sales or return data on beverage containers. Consequently, updating the estimated redemption rate is not done every year due to a lack of resources [5]. The redemption rate was estimated at 93% in the year 2000 [6]. 

Footnotes

[1] “Dermot Hayes, “Economics of the Iowa Bottle Bill,” Iowa State University, January 2012. Table 1.” An 86% recycling rate was estimated in 2007, based on waste composition data collected in 2005 by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Deductions made for recycling through curbside and dropoff programs (see below note). Personal communication from Bill Blum, Financial & Business Assistance program planner, Iowa DNR, Land Quality Bureau. February 27, 2015. 

[2] “2021 Beverage Market Data Analysis.” Container Recycling Institute. 2024.

[3] See Footnote 2.

[4] “Changes to the Bottle Bill Frequently Asked Questions.” Iowa DNR. 2022

[5] See Footnote 2.

[6] “Iowa DNR, Waste Management Division (year 2000 estimate).” As per phone conversation with Jeff Geerts. August 29, 2018.

 

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Contact

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

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