It's hard to believe in this day and age of recycling that there are only ten states in the country that have "bottle bills." The New England States have led the charge since the 1970s but since then, not many other states have followed suit.

What's a Bottle Bill?

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A Bottle Bill, technically known as container deposit legislation, is a law enacted by states that requires a deposit on beverage bottles and cans. The deposit is collected and held until the buyer redeems it when they return their empties to a bottle recycling location or other bottle collection facility or service.

The goal of bottle bills is to reduce litter on the side of roadways and the energy and material used to make containers. As a kid, before Maine's bottle bill went into effect, empty beer, soda, and glass bottles were all over the side of the road. When the bill was enacted, they all disappeared because now they were worth something.

Here are the four states in New England that have adopted bottle bills.

Connecticut
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Connecticut's bottle bill was introduced in 1980 but was expanded in 2009 to include bottled water. The deposit is the same for all container types at 10¢.
  
Maine 
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Maine's bottle bill was passed at election time and went into effect in 1978. Originally cans were 5¢ and glass bottles were 10¢. Today, all beverage containers are 5¢ except for liquor bottles which are 15¢.

Massachusetts
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Massachusetts "Beverage Container Recovery Law," went into effect in 1983. It requires all containers of carbonated beverages to be returnable with a minimum return rate of 5¢.
Vermont
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Vermont was the first state to pass a bottle bill in 1973 Beer, wine coolers, other malt beverages, pre-mixed spirits cocktails, sodas, sparkling waters, juices, and carbonated sports and energy drinks all have a 5¢ deposit, while liquor has a 15 cent deposit.

READ MORE: Nine Beverages You Can't Return for Money to a Bottle Redemption Center in Maine

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Gallery Credit: Joey

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