Detroit News: Letter: Revitalizing Michigan’s Bottle Bill for a Sustainable Future

When Michigan voters approved a statewide bottle return system in 1976, the program was built on a partnership between consumers, the State of Michigan and businesses accepting returns. The vision was clear: keep our streets, parks, beaches and waterways clean while conserving valuable resources through a 10-cent deposit system. Michigan's beer and soft drink distributors have been central to this effort, but the state’s reinvestment in and commitment to the program has waned over the years.

Since its inception, beer distributors have invested over $60 million annually to recycle nearly two billion containers. These investments cover everything from labor and transportation to advanced sorting and recycling systems, ensuring that Michigan consumers can trust their returned cans and bottles will be properly recycled. In 2023 alone, Michigan’s beer distributors diverted 61,524 metric tons of CO2 through the deposit system—equivalent to saving 6,892,554 gallons of gasoline, powering 12,089 homes for a year, or conserving 141,816 barrels of oil.

Despite this success, we are now facing a critical challenge. The state has failed to enforce the Bottle Bill program adequately, mainly with online and small independent retailers that have closed return centers. An inconvenient process leaves consumers questioning their participation, contributing to historically low return rates. As a result, the environmental and financial viability of the Bottle Bill are at risk.

One way to revitalize the Bottle Bill is through the passage of Senate Bill 1112, recently introduced by State Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo. This legislation offers an opportunity to transform recycling in Michigan by reinvesting in the Bottle Bill, expanding its scope to include more beverage containers and implementing consumer-friendly universal redemption. The Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association encourages lawmakers to support this proposal for a healthier environment in our state.

Our distributors remain committed, doing their part to uphold the system, but it’s time for the State of Michigan to step up. The state must enforce the rules with all retailers and reinvest in the infrastructure that supports this program, which has kept Michigan a leader in recycling for decades.

Consumers must also play a role by returning their cans and bottles—every return counts. Together, we can build a stronger, more efficient, and consumer-friendly Bottle Bill system, ensuring Michigan remains a model of environmental responsibility.

Spencer Nevins is president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association in Lansing.