Publications
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CRI Releases 2023 Impact Report – Learn How We Made a Difference
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Updating the Massachusetts Beverage Container Deposit Law: Estimated Unclaimed Deposits - March 2024
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Estimates of Deposit Beverage Containers Captured Through Curbside and Dropoff Programs - February 2024
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Benefits to Modernizing the Michigan Bottle Bill - January 2024
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Why Modernizing the Bottle Bill Would Help Fight Climate Change - December 5th,2023
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Handling Fees Factsheet 2023 - August 2023
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CA SB 1013 Summary (September 5th, 2022)
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CA AB 179 Budget Act of 2022 Deposit Program Funding Breakdown (September 5th, 2022)
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All Redemption States Table (July 2022)
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All Redemption States Details (July 2022)
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CRI letter to Assembly Committee on Appropriations to Support SB1013 - July 25th, 2022 (updated)
SB 1013 would add wine and spirits containers to the Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, also known as a container deposit law or bottle bill.
Download PDF [PDF, 932KB] -
Container Recycling Institute Comments on CalRecycle’s Budget Change Proposal (BCP) for the Beverage Container Recycling Program (BCRP) - May 2nd, 2022
The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) has been advocating for reform to California’s beverage container recycling program for more than a decade, and so we are delighted to see the conversation in the legislature turn toward bold proposals and acknowledgement of availability of funding for real program modernization. Download PDF [PDF, 286KB]
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CRI supports SB 1013 - California - April 19th, 2022
We are writing in support of SB1013, “An act to amend Sections 14504 and 14550 of the Public Resources Code, relating to recycling, and making an appropriation therefor...
Download PDF [364KB] -
Background on California’s Convenience Zone Structure and Current Status - May 5 2021 (Updated)
A “convenience zone” is defined as the area within a half-mile radius of a supermarket that has gross annual sales of at least $2 million. By statute, the intent is to have one redemption center in each convenience zone. This would ensure that it is just as easy to return an empty beverage container for refund as it is to purchase the beverage in the first place. Download PDF [PDF, 373KB]
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How many nips are actually sold in Connecticut per person? July 2021
CRI reviewed the per capita “nips” sales estimates in the “Connecticut Wine and Spirits Industry’s 2-Part Plan for 50 mls (Nips) and Glass Containers” and found that they differed dramatically from our BMDA derivations of “nips” sales (“2018 Beverage Market Data Analysis,” Container Recycling Institute, 2020). Download PDF [PDF, 267KB]
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Exploring refillables in the United States - April 2021
Long before one-way beverage bottles and cans came to dominate drink packaging in the mid-20th century,1 refillables were how Americans—and people around the world—consumed beer, soft drinks, and milk. Download PDF [PDF, 1MB]
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"International Embrace" by CRI President Susan Collins (Plastics Recycling Update) - Winter 2020
Over the past several years, container deposit programs have been adopted at a rapid rate in nations across the globe. What's pushing the trend? And is it a preview of things to come in the U.S.? Download PDF [PDF, 908KB]
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CRI’s Comments on the NYSP2I “Impact Study of NYS Bottle Bill Expansion
CRI has undertaken a limited review of RIT’s “Impact Study of NYS Bottle Bill Expansion” (Nov. 2019), which assesses economic impacts on various stakeholders if glass liquor and wine bottles (excluding plastic and aluminum containers) were to be covered by a deposit. Download PDF [PDF, 874KB]
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California’s CRV Beverage Container Recycling Program: Quantifying Payments to Curbside and Drop-off Programs (2017) - Updated August 2019
Summary of Findings: The operators of curbside and drop-off programs in California received $193 million in revenue from CalRecycle payments and scrap sales for CRV beverage containers in 2017. The estimated cost for handling those containers was $43 million, leading to a calculation of $150 million in gross profits, or a 349% profit. Download PDF [PDF, 449KB]
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Background on California’s Convenience Zone Structure and Current Status - April 2019
A “convenience zone” is defined as the area within a half-mile radius of a supermarket that has gross annual sales of at least $2 million. By statute, the intent is to have one redemption center in each convenience zone. This would ensure that it is just as easy to return an empty beverage container for refund as it is to purchase the beverage in the first place. Download PDF [PDF, 373KB]
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CRI Analysis of Massachusetts House Bill 2686* (repeal of Bottle Bill with penny fee on beverage containers for 3 years) - April 2018
House Bill 2686*, “An Act Improving Recycling in the Commonwealth” would repeal the existing beverage container deposit law (the “bottle bill”), and in its place would impose a 1-cent fee on all carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. Collected revenues would be put into a “Municipal Recycling Enhancement Fund” (the Fund), with funding to be used for recycling and litter programs. The bill sunsets this fee after three years. Download PDF [PDF, 806KB]
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Cost of Curbside Recycling for Beverage Containers - October 18th, 2018
As all recycling professionals know, recycling isn’t a zero-cost service, even though it is often provided for “free” to households. Providing recycling for “free” is a deliberate policy decision made by municipalities to incentivize participation by residents and businesses. Download PDF [PDF, 228KB]
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Winners and Losers Under Iowa House File 575: An Analysis - March 2018
The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) has analyzed Iowa HF 575, successor to HSB 163.1 It would repeal the beverage container deposit law (“bottle bill”), and would impose a 1¢ “recycling program fee” on carbonated beverages. Download PDF [PDF, 684KB]
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Massachusetts Container Deposit Return System: 2016 Employment and Economic Impacts in the Commonwealth (June 2017- Addendum April 2018)
This report examines a suite of economic impacts associated with the existing Massachusetts “Bottle Bill” (originally passed as the Beverage Container Recovery Law; H.2943/S.1588).
Get Download Link [PDF, 471KB]
Addendum April 10th, 2018 - Download PDF [PDF, 32KB]
Updated Imagery included here: Download PDF [PDF, 283KB] -
California’s Beverage Container Redemption Center Crisis: THE BIGGEST LOSERS (July, 2017)
California needs to help restore redemption center coverage in the “recycling deserts” in the state. Here’s why. (July 2017)
Download PDF [PDF, 29KB]
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Cullet Comparisons - February 2017
Jurisdictions across North America are pondering how to handle the challenging economics of glass recovery. A beverage container recycling specialist adds to the conversation with an in-depth look at the numbers from different glass programs around the globe.
Download PDF [PDF, 5.9MB]
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Understanding Delaware’s Universal Recycling Law (Updated: February 2017)
The American Beverage Association (ABA) recently released an “Issue Analysis” which examines the impacts of Delaware’s new Universal Recycling Law, implemented in 2011. The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) has prepared this fact sheet to provide additional information not currently presented in ABA’s analysis.
Download PDF [PDF, 602KB]
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Integrity of California’s Beverage Container Deposit System Threatened by Processing Payment Shortfalls - Report (Updated: April 2016)
Declining scrap prices coupled with problematic compensation formulas have produced processing payment shortfalls that have already forced the closure of more than 400 redemption centers in California, posing a serious threat to the state’s beverage container recycling infrastructure and sharply constricting consumers’ ability to recover the CRV (container refund value) to which they are entitled.
Download PDF [PDF, 602KB]
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Processing Payment Shortfall FactSheet (Updated: April 2016)
Though it would require a statutory change, CRI recommends that the processing payment calculation method be reevaluated to protect the solvency of the recycling centers upon which the California beverage container recycling infrastructure depends.
Download PDF [PDF, 310KB]
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BC Case Study: The Environmental and Economic Performance of Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling in British Columbia, Canada - August 2015
The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) undertook this case study of British Columbia’s container deposit-refund law (CDL) for two reasons: first, to expand CRI’s existing body of research on best practices for the recovery and quality recycling of packaging materials; and second, to investigate recent increases in container recycling fees (CRF) in the province, especially for glass containers. Get a Download LinkEncorp’s response letter to the BC Case Study - Download Here
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Comparative Table of Container Deposit States Inclusion of Cider in Respective Container Deposit Laws - July 2015
Comprehensive list of Container Deposit States that do include Cider in their container deposit laws.
Download PDF -
Estimating Beverage Container Litter Quantities and Cleanup Costs in Michigan - April 2015
This paper looks at litter cleanup efforts and associated costs in Michigan, and attempts to determine the proportion of litter composed of discarded beverage containers.
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Beverage Container Recycling Rate March 2015 Update
Listing of Beverage Container Recycling Rates by State for Deposit Containers Only.
Download PDF -
Understanding Delaware’s Universal Recycling Law (February 2015)
The American Beverage Association (ABA) recently released an “Issue Analysis” which examines the impacts of Delaware’s new Universal Recycling Law, implemented in 2011. The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) has prepared this fact sheet to provide additional information not currently presented in ABA’s analysis.
Download PDF -
Comparison of Container Deposit Programs in the United States (September 2014)
This paper compares state specific container deposit program information. Because of different reporting requirements across beverage container deposit states some information was obtained from some states, while the same information was not available from other states.
Download PDF -
Examining the Potential for Increased Revenues in California’s Beverage Container Deposit-‐Return Program (August 13, 2014)
CRI’s analysis suggests that there may be nearly 3.7 billion units (3,690,008,614 units) for which no deposit has been paid. These “free-‐riders” in the system are worth more than $206 million in potentially uncollected CRV.
Get Download Link
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Sierra Club Report: Analysis of S.379: An Act Improving Recycling in the Commonwealth
An analysis of the effects of passage of S.379 on litter, recycling, employment, and state and local financing.
Download PDF [PDF, 117KB]
CRI Reports
The Environmental and Economic Performance of Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling in British Columbia, Canada
The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) undertook this case study of British Columbia’s container deposit-refund law (CDL) for two reasons: first, to expand CRI’s existing body of research on best practices for the recovery and quality recycling of packaging materials; and second, to investigate recent increases in container recycling fees (CRF) in the province, especially for glass containers.
Bottled Up (2000-2010) - Beverage Container Recycling Stagnates
Three pronounced trends in American beverage consumption and recycling patterns have emerged since CRI’s first BMDA looked at year 2000 data: overall sales growth, non-carbonated sales growth, and stagnating recycling rates—all of which are resulting in higher rates of landfilling, incineration and littering, and other negative environmental impacts.
Get Download Link [PDF, 2.1MB]
A Common Theme: Single Stream Recycling
Is single-stream recycling service the salvation of all recycling programs or is there a better way forward? Our author digs into the untold story of real residue rates and a PREFERABLE METHOD to truly recycle more materials at materials recovery facilities.
Returning to Work:
Understanding the Domestic Jobs Impacts from Different Methods of Recycling Beverage Containers
December 2011 | While the recycling's impact on jobs has been the subject of several studies in recent years, Returning to Work is the first report to take into account the vital importance of material quality, throughput quantities, processing dynamics and end-user needs to analyze the net gains in domestic jobs when beverage containers are recovered through recycling.
Understanding economic and environmental impacts of single-stream collection systems
December 2009 | While single-stream recycling is more convenient for consumers and results in lower costs than other collection systems, it also results in more contamination of collected materials, lower material quality, and increased waste. Using data from industry reports and interviews with recyclers, this report that highlights the economic and environmental impacts of switching to a single-stream system.
Wasting and Recycling Trends:
Conclusions from CRI’s 2008 Beverage Market Data Analysis
January 2009 | Three pronounced trends in American beverage consumption and recycling patterns have emerged since 2000: overall sales growth, non-carbonated sales growth, and stagnating recycling rates—all of which lead to increasing wasting. Using data from the 2008 Beverage Market Data Analysis, CRI has compiled a report discussing those trends.
Water, Water Everywhere:
The Growth of Non-carbonated Beverages in the United States
February 2007 | Sales of bottled water in the U.S. are going up, up and up. In the three years between 2002 and 2005, sales doubled from from 15 billion units sold, to 29.8 billion. This is almost seven times the 3.8 billion units sold in 1997. At the same time, traditional fizzy drinks are losing market share. What does this all mean? More PET bottles produced, more wasted, and a smaller percentage recycled.
The 10¢ Incentive to Recycle
Augus 2006 | This "bottle bill primer" sets the record straight on the environmental and economic impacts of beverage container deposit systems (bottle bills), and uses documented evidence to rebut the arguments made by the anti-bottle bill, beverage industry lobby. The 10¢ Incentive to Recycle, revised with 2004 data, also contains updated facts, figures, charts and graphs.
Trashed Cans: The Global Environmental Impacts of Aluminum Can Wasting in America
June 2002 |This exciting report from CRI documents the sharp rise in aluminum can wasting over the last thirty years and draws a detailed picture of the environmental impacts of extracting energy and resources to replace wasted cans. The report presents reasons for the recent decline in aluminum can recycling rates, and offers solutions to reverse the wasting trend.
Extended Producer Responsibility - a Primer
1997 | Extended Producer Responsibility is the concept that the primary responsibility for waste generated during a product's manufacturing and after the product is discarded, is that of the producer of the product. This primer goes on to explain the ultimate goals of EPR and the different forms of EPR policies, and discusses the reasons that manufacturers are reluctant to adopt these policies.
Other Publications
Beverage Containers: Summary of the Stewardship Initiative for Minnesota and Wisconsin
| Summary of the voluntary stakeholder initiative between Minnesota and Wisconsin to achieve statewide goals of 80% beverage container recycling. The report includes information about current beverage container sales and recycling data for the state, disposal data, end market data, and summary of voluntary actions that were developed. [PDF,2MB]
Waste and Opportunity: U.S. Beverage Container Recycling Scorecard and Report
| Rates 23 beverage companies on environmental performance. [PDF,1Mb]
2006 Edition, by As You Sow and CRI [PDF,1.24Mb]
Economic & Environmental Benefits of a Deposit System for Beverage Containers in the State of Washington
Useful cost/benefit analysis for any locality contemplating a bottle bill. [PDF,807kb]
Understanding Beverage Container Recovery: A Value Chain Assessment Prepared for the Multi-Stakeholder Recovery Project (MSRP)
n objective analysis of the state of U.S. beverage container recycling, and of the costs and success rates of various recycling systems.
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