SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The most recent data published by the Container Recycling Institute (CRI) indicate that the redemption rates of beverage containers in most states with bottle bills recorded decline during the previous year. The redemption rate has been in a downtrend since 2017. Over the past seven years, Massachusetts recorded the biggest fall, with returns dropping by 21%.

ALSO READ:

Long Island Waste Services Received Major Equity Fund Investment

Reconomy Announced Acquisition of Lincoln Waste Solutions

According to date, the beverage container redemption rates witnessed declines in the range of 1% to 4% in most of the states. The highest dip of 4%, in comparison with 2022, was recorded in the state of Hawaii, followed by Michigan with 3% decline. The states of Massachusetts and New York saw the redemption rates fall by 2% each. A dip by 1% was recorded in Maine, Connecticut and California.

Meantime, Oregon’s rate surged higher by 1%. The redemption rates in Vermont went higher by less than 1%.

The recently introduced changes in California and Connecticut’s programs are likely to deliver returns by way of improvements in rates in the upcoming years, CRI noted. However, only widespread modernizations in bottle bills will bring about a noticeable increase in rates, it added.

Susan Collins, President, CRI urged states to improve systems at the earliest so as to prevent further dip in rates.