More options for returning bottles and cans in Michigan

Starting on October 5th, Michigan residents will have more options to redeem bottle and can deposits.

All grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations and other retailers with reverse vending machine must reopen their bottle return facilities and resume the collection of returnable bottles and cans to refund outstanding deposits, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

An exception is retailers that require person-to-person contact which may re-open at their discretion.

All re-opening retailers must comply with safety protocols.

In addition, retailers may take any or all the following steps at their discretion:

• Limit the number of beverage containers that may be returned by a single individual per day to a deposit refund amount of $25, as outlined in state law.
• Establish special or limited hours of operation for return facilities.
• Limit the number of available and operating reverse vending machines.
• Periodically close return facilities as needed for cleaning and supply management.
• Implement other procedures or restrictions as necessary to promote safety, efficiency, or both.

If individuals recycle their bottles or cans instead of returning to a retailer for the 10-cent deposit, state law outlines that 75% of the previously collected bottle deposit money is automatically deposited into the state’s Cleanup and Redevelopment Trust Fund and 25% is returned to the retailers.