HB 2042 -- Beverage Container Deposit

Co-Sponsors:  Gaskill, Robirds, Merideth

This bill places a refundable deposit of at least 5 cents on all
soft drink, beer, and mineral water containers sold for off--
premise consumption.  Containers must be clearly labeled with
the refund value, and dealers must accept and refund the deposit
for all labeled, returned containers of the type, size, and
brand that they sell.  If approved by the Department of Natural
Resources as being convenient for customers, redemption centers
may be established to accept containers on behalf of dealers
within a defined territory.  Each beer distributor selling non--
refillable metal cans must provide for a can return facility in
each county seat.  In cities of 25,000 or more, one facility
must be provided for each 25,000 inhabitants.

Distributors must pick up returned containers from dealers and
redemption centers and, within a week, reimburse dealers the
refund value plus one cent for each returned container.
Manufacturers may not charge distributors a deposit on non--
refillable containers.

The bill also prohibits the sale of single-serving plastic
beverage containers and metal cans with removable pull-tabs.
After July 1, 2002, dealers, operators of redemption centers,
distributors, and manufacturers may not dispose of beverage
containers in landfills.

The bill has an effective date of January 1, 2002.  Most
violations of the bill's provisions are class C misdemeanors,
but counterfeit labeling or attempting to collect the refund
value a second time from a distributor are class B misdemeanors,
and the manufacture or sale of single-serving plastic containers
is a class A misdemeanor.