Iowa Lawmakers Urged to Expand Bottle Bill Redemption Sites

Backers say lack of access to redemption centers frustrates Iowans

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Backers of Iowa's 47-year-old 'Bottle Bill' are urging Iowans to contact lawmakers about a lack of access to sites where they can redeem their nickel deposits on bottles and cans. R-G Schwarm, executive director of Cleaner Iowa, says Iowans continue to support the Bottle Bill, but the frustration over limited redemption options is clear in a recent survey.

Why it matters

Iowa's Bottle Bill has been in place for nearly 50 years, but recent changes have reduced the number of retailers required to accept bottle and can returns, making it harder for Iowans to redeem their deposits. This has sparked calls for lawmakers to expand access to redemption centers across the state.

The details

In 2022, Iowa changed the Bottle Bill to remove the requirement that retailers who sell beverages and collect the nickel deposits must pay consumers who return the empties. A bill to expand the fee failed in a house committee on Tuesday, despite ongoing support for the Bottle Bill among Iowans.

  • The Bottle Bill has been in place in Iowa for 47 years.
  • In 2022, changes were made to the Bottle Bill to remove the requirement for retailers to accept returns.
  • On Tuesday, a bill to expand the Bottle Bill fee failed in an Iowa House committee.

The players

R-G Schwarm

Executive director of Cleaner Iowa, a group that paid to survey Iowans about the Bottle Bill.

Cleaner Iowa

A group that paid to survey Iowans about the Bottle Bill and is urging lawmakers to expand access to bottle and can redemption centers.

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What they’re saying

“Iowans continue to support the Bottle Bill, but the frustration is clearly recognized in the results.”

— R-G Schwarm, Executive director, Cleaner Iowa (kbur.com)

What’s next

Lawmakers in Iowa will likely continue to debate changes to the Bottle Bill, including potential efforts to expand access to redemption centers across the state.

The takeaway

Iowa's longstanding Bottle Bill remains popular with residents, but changes in recent years have made it harder for Iowans to redeem their bottle and can deposits. This has sparked renewed calls for lawmakers to improve access to redemption sites and preserve the environmental and economic benefits of the program.