Expands beverage returnable container law to include new types of beverages and increases handling fees.

The bill amends the environmental conservation law to expand the definition of "beverage" to include noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages, and cider. It sets a minimum refund value of five cents for these beverages, increasing to ten cents starting April 1, 2027. The bill also increases the handling fee for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or redemption center, starting at five cents on April 1, 2027, and rising to six and a half cents by April 1, 2032.

Expands beverage returnable container law to include new types of beverages and increases handling fees.

The bill amends the environmental conservation law to expand the definition of "beverage" to include noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages, and cider. It sets a minimum refund value of five cents for these beverages, increasing to ten cents starting April 1, 2027. The bill also increases the handling fee for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or redemption center, starting at five cents on April 1, 2027, and rising to six and a half cents by April 1, 2032.