Beverage Containers Control Law
Iowa's Beverage Containers Control Law, also known as the "Bottle Bill," was designed to clean up litter by recovering beverage containers for recycling. Iowa's bottle bill deposit law covers all carbonated and alcoholic beverages. Consumers pay a five-cent deposit when purchasing a beverage container and receive a five-cent refund when returning the container to a store or redemption center.
As of January 1, 2023, retailers may opt out of container redemption if any of the following are true:
1) Prepared food
Any retailer who refuses to accept container returns must conspicuously display a notice on the front door of the business that they do not accept containers and the location of the nearest approved redemption center. After the DNR has an operational electronic locater available, the notice must contain information on the electronic method of locating.
Iowa's Beverage Containers Control Law, also known as the "Bottle Bill," was designed to clean up litter by recovering beverage containers for recycling. Iowa's bottle bill deposit law covers all carbonated and alcoholic beverages. Consumers pay a five-cent deposit when purchasing a beverage container and receive a five-cent refund when returning the container to a store or redemption center.
As of January 1, 2023, retailers may opt out of container redemption if any of the following are true:
1) Prepared food
- a) Retailer holds a food establishment license under Chapter 137F to prepare or serve food; and
- b) has a certified food protection manager as required by the FDA; and
- c) sells time/temperature control for safety food as defined in Section 137F.2.
- a) Retailer provides space, utilities and internet for operation; and
- b) The agreement does not require additional payment to the retailer or the mobile redemption system.
- 10 miles for counties with population greater than 30,000
- 15 miles for counties with population less than 30,000
Any retailer who refuses to accept container returns must conspicuously display a notice on the front door of the business that they do not accept containers and the location of the nearest approved redemption center. After the DNR has an operational electronic locater available, the notice must contain information on the electronic method of locating.
It is recommended to provide the name and address of the nearest DNR-approved redemption center on your opt-out notice. You can find a directory here, by selecting "Redemption Center Directory" in the dropdown list under "1. Select a report". At the bottom, you can narrow your search by selecting a county. To generate the report, click the PDF icon at the bottom of the page.
For more information about the Bottle Bill, visit the DNR's website.
