ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

Iowa is one of only 9 states with a mandatory beverage container deposit law. Enacted in 1979, the Iowa “bottle bill” sets the state apart from its neighbors. None of the surrounding states have adopted bottle bill legislation and no state has enacted such laws since 1983. In addition to the 5 cents per container deposit paid by the consumer, there is also a one-cent handling fee on each container. Based on survey results, IWBDA members report the fees and costs related to the bottle bill (amount spent by the company in 2005 for related costs including handling fees, transportation, labor and other related costs) amounted to $8.6 million. (This figure does not include costs incurred by retailers, soft drink or other alcohol beverage containers covered by the Iowa deposit law.)