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Thread: Pop can refunds

  1. #1
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    Default Pop can refunds

    Why are there refunds in states like Michigan, Rhode Island, New York and
    the other states that you see listed on pop cans and glass bottle in those states and not in all states???
    Is there a logical reason other then that
    most of the states seem like welfare states to me?

  2. #2
    Machine Gunner Guylee's Avatar
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    uhhhhhhhh...cuz those states wanna keep their welfare babies busy picking up trash?
    Just call me 47

  3. #3
    Grand Master Know It All OneGuy67's Avatar
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    Those states charge a fee or tax on the can or bottle at the time of purchase that can be redeemed when returned.
    “Every good citizen makes his country's honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and is conscious that he gains protection while he gives it.” Andrew Jackson

    A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

    That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

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    Varmiteer JoeT's Avatar
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    It was an incentive to recycle initially.

    In 1982, Massachusetts passed the bottle bill. The retailer pays the money to the bottler, and the consumer pays the retailer. when they are returned the consumer gets their $.05 and the retailer gets their $.05 plus an additional $.0225 for handling the containers. so there is an incentive for the retailer to take them back (as well as they were mandated by law.

    The state has a stake in it too. The way the law was written, not all consumers redeem their containers for the deposit. In Massachusetts, distributors and bottlers are required to turn over unclaimed deposits to the state. These funds used to go to the state’s Clean Environment Fund, which supported local and statewide recycling efforts. They now go into the state's General Fund instead.

    So, as I said, initially it was a recycle program...bottle get picked up and returned, so less trash. The containers are then in theory recycled so there is less glass and plastic being made, so we'd use less fossil fuels in the production of the containers.

    Fast forward 30 years, and although still good for the environment it's really just another tax. Every time you see a broken bottle, or for every plastic bottle or can that is shot at a gun range, the state is ultimately paid that $.05 from the distributor/bottler and that money is put into the general fund (read: support lazy fat asses that don't work and suck off the tit of the government.)


    I would assume that other states follow a similar program....I am only aware of this because I have a friend that is a "big wig" at a family owned beverage company in Mass. and it is a pet peeve of his that he has to pay the state for a product that he doesn't get the benefit of actually recycling (he's against bottle bills for a number of economic reasons, but this one bothers him the most)

  5. #5
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    wow. i just learned more about the economics of pop cans that I ever thought I could or would!

  6. #6
    Stircrazy Jer jerrymrc's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JoeT View Post
    It was an incentive to recycle initially.

    In 1982, Massachusetts passed the bottle bill. The retailer pays the money to the bottler, and the consumer pays the retailer. when they are returned the consumer gets their $.05 and the retailer gets their $.05 plus an additional $.0225 for handling the containers. so there is an incentive for the retailer to take them back (as well as they were mandated by law.

    The state has a stake in it too. The way the law was written, not all consumers redeem their containers for the deposit. In Massachusetts, distributors and bottlers are required to turn over unclaimed deposits to the state. These funds used to go to the state’s Clean Environment Fund, which supported local and statewide recycling efforts. They now go into the state's General Fund instead.

    So, as I said, initially it was a recycle program...bottle get picked up and returned, so less trash. The containers are then in theory recycled so there is less glass and plastic being made, so we'd use less fossil fuels in the production of the containers.

    Fast forward 30 years, and although still good for the environment it's really just another tax. Every time you see a broken bottle, or for every plastic bottle or can that is shot at a gun range, the state is ultimately paid that $.05 from the distributor/bottler and that money is put into the general fund (read: support lazy fat asses that don't work and suck off the tit of the government.)


    I would assume that other states follow a similar program....I am only aware of this because I have a friend that is a "big wig" at a family owned beverage company in Mass. and it is a pet peeve of his that he has to pay the state for a product that he doesn't get the benefit of actually recycling (he's against bottle bills for a number of economic reasons, but this one bothers him the most)

    Oregon was the first. Law passed in 71.
    I see you running, tell me what your running from

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  7. #7
    ALWAYS TRYING HARDER Ah Pook's Avatar
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    I've spent some time in MI and was always amazed at the lack of bottle/can trash on the ground. Even the U of M slums were clean.

    I grew up boating in TX. It was common to see cans floating in the water, dumped next to the parking lot or left at campsites. Even Lady Bird's precious highways were littered with 'em.

    I'm no fan of taxes and extra fees but at least this one has a positive outcome. As usual, a good idea gets sidetracked and the intended benefactor is lost.

    Think of all the homeless people that could put down the "will work" signs and pick up the money just laying on the ground.

    Now, if they would just put a return tax on McDonalds bags and cups...
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    Strong men create good times
    Good times create weak men
    Weak men create hard times
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  8. #8
    Grand Master Know It All OneGuy67's Avatar
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    I had an ex-girlfriend who went to Michigan State and she said that a lot of the students supported their education by going around after all the Greek parties and cleaning up the bottles and cans and returning them for the deposit.
    “Every good citizen makes his country's honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and is conscious that he gains protection while he gives it.” Andrew Jackson

    A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

    That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

  9. #9
    Machine Gunner Guylee's Avatar
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    Welp, I was wrong. Better get the board out for today.
    Just call me 47

  10. #10
    QUITTER Irving's Avatar
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    Do they provide free shipping to return bottles?
    "There are no finger prints under water."

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